By Paul Nyathi|President Emmerson Mnangagwa offially opened the 2018 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday.
This was his first time to officiate at the renowned trade exhibition since taking over from former President Robert Mugabe in a bloodless coup last year.
In his address Mnangagwa reiterated his call for investors to invest in the country declaring it as being open for business.
“This year’s edition of the ZITF resonates well with my Government’s economic thrust which is industrialisation and modernisation as envisaged by our vision. To achieve this vision, we need a collaborative approach. We recognise that we cannot do it alone hence we are on a reengagement drive to attract foreign direct investment through the Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra,” President Mnangagwa said.
“We mean business and we realise that action speaks louder than words. My government will not tolerate any form of public lethargy, bottle necks and corruption. Anyone who will be seen frustrating our efforts will fall by the wayside,” he added.
Mnangagwa promised the thousands of Bulawayo citizens attending the ceremony that his government is working very hard to revive the industries that closed down in the city.
“To the city of Bulawayo, it is time to think big and push to revive the city’s industrial sector. The local industry should also produce quality goods, policy makers adopt pro-business policies that help lower productivity costs and the industry continue establishing linkages in order to ensure a sound economy,” he said.
The President reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring safety of investments, and implementation of various reforms for economic development.
“We continue to make the bold step in reforming parastatals and state enterprises so that they contribute to the economy for it to realise sustainable growth,” Mnangagwa said.
The 2018 edition of the fair will go down in history as having attracted the largest number of exhibitors in many years.
The fair attracted an oversubscribed number of exhibitors resulting in more space being sort to accomodate the exhibitors.
Thousands of people also thronged the fair when it opened for members of the public on Thursday after three trading days.