Mnangagwa urges Zimbabweans to work together to develop the country

My Government is unwavering in its commitment to constitutionalism, entrenching the rule of law, the principle of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.

Distinguished Guests; Comrades and Friends;

The successful realisation of our shared Vision 2030 will require concerted and the disciplined implementation of radical economic reforms targeted at attracting and facilitating foreign and domestic investments in line with the reality that “Zimbabwe is open for business”.

Through the engagement and re- engagement policy, we are opening a new chapter in our relations with the world, underpinned by mutual respect, shared principles and common values. We look forward to playing a positive and constructive role as a free, democratic, transparent and responsible member of the family of nations.

Internally, we will speed up the efforts to improve the ease and cost of doing business and economic competiveness. Measures will be put in place to promote domestic savings in support of the national developmental agenda. Furthermore, necessary steps will be taken to create fiscal space through rationalisation and cost cutting measures.

Measures will be taken to correct the fiscal imbalances that threaten to undermine the viability of the financial sector as reflected through the spiralling cash shortages and the distortions plaguing the foreign currency exchange market.

Now that elections are behind us, we must now focus on addressing the economic challenges facing our country.  To realise our vision and leapfrog our industrialisation and modernisation agenda, we will foster policies that attract both domestic and global capital.   We will soon be reviewing the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements, to promote and encourage investments from across the world. Efforts will also be taken to expedite and bring to finality the resolution of the country’s external debt arrears, under the LIMA Plan.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Now is the time for us all to unite as a nation and grow our economy. Let us courageously and diligently embark on a shared journey towards the realisation of our national Vision to transform Zimbabwe into a middle income economy, with increased investment, decent jobs, broad based empowerment, free from poverty and corruption by 2030.

My Government will, in the next five years accelerate industrialisation, modernisation and mechanisation, with greater emphasis on market driven policies. Furthermore, comprehensive strategies will be put in place to stimulate the value chains across our industries and commerce.

Building on the achievements in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and tourism, as a result of the deliberate polices we made in the last nine months, my Government will consolidate the growth of the economy.

We will modernise major roads, airports, railways and border posts.  Through modern infrastructure, we will connect Zimbabweans, to each other, to the region and to the world!

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