We must lift millions living in our rural areas out of poverty, as envisaged by our Vision. The People’s Republic of China, PRC, provides an inspiring example and salutary lessons.
All the factors for rural development through vibrant rural agriculture and rural industrialisation must now be put in place. These include water, electricity, irrigation systems, input support schemes, extension services, road network, access to markets, and, of course, adequate social services infrastructure.
These vital enablers should be in place in all our rural communities so that we begin our broad and encompassing programme of sustainable rural industrialisation, informed by factor endowments and activities possible in each community. Government will be a lead actor in this process, including in chaperoning community value chains which we now envisage under this policy.
Tomorrow I shall be addressing captains of industry and leaders of business in our resort city, Victoria Falls.
Together, we should be able to agree on a common programme of economic action designed to take our nation forward, building on the gains recorded in the past five years. A lot was achieved, creating a firm pedestal for sustained economic growth. I will emphasise production and productivity in industry and across sectors, including vigorous pursuit of clear and efficient value chains which make our economy a competitive manufacturer and exporter.
Our mining sector continues to do well. We need to nudge it further forward, towards greater local value addition to enhance our earnings. Our tourism, too, continues to record buoyant growth, and to witness new projects. There will be greater investments on all our gateways and major roads, for ease of business and travel. Our railway system will be rehabilitated and equipped. Prudent fiscal and monetary policies will continue to be pursued for macroeconomic stability. All these issues and many others will come under spotlight at this retreat, so a comprehensive agenda is agreed upon and adopted.
My trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, informed by contacts I made with representatives of key partners, gave me great hope that our engagement and re-engagement policies are beginning to yield positive results. There is now an appetite to engage and partner Zimbabwe, including in hitherto coy Western capitals. Indeed, a growing realisation that the more than two decades of illegal sanctions have cost both sides enormously, and that such hostile policies must now give way to gainful bilateral cooperation. Zimbabwe remains a friend to all and an enemy to none. Equally, Zimbabwe will never forget its friends who stood by it through thick and thin. These will always enjoy a pride of place in our decisions and policies.
Particularly exhilarating were my contacts with leading Zimbabwean experts now working for key industries abroad. As groups and as individuals, they expressed their readiness to come back home and to share experiences and expertise which they have garnered over the years they have been abroad. One project deserves particular mention. A group of Zimbabwean scientists are very keen to establish a Biotechnological Hub back home. This is to be applauded. I promised them full support, including free land for the project. We must show faith, confidence and belief in our own people, many of whom drive key research and development projects in several multinational organisations. We must make them feel welcome back home so they contribute to Zimbabwe’s development.
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