The mining sector has made huge strides in implementing projects under the US$12 Billion Mining Industry by 2023 strategy, which has become the sector’s anchor policy.
This was said by President Emmerson Mnangagwa when he gave his closing remarks at the final cabinet meeting of the year 2020.
He said the mining sector has also created jobs with an excess of three thousand jobs created in projects in the Hwange area alone.
President Mnangagwa said as the year comes to an end it is important for the government to take stock of the achievements attained in the year 2020.
“It is imperative that we take stock of some of the achievements in our journey towards the attainment of Vision 2030. The year has recorded a number of successes, which would not have been possible without your commitment to duty and excellent performance,” said Pres Mnangagwa.
He went on to highlight achievements that include infrastructure development, the launch of NDS1, Devolution and Decentralisation policy, the heritage-based Education 5.0, economic stability, and the improvement of power supply.
“The country has made huge strides in the rehabilitation and upgrading of infrastructure, especially on the Harare-Beitbridge Road. The rehabilitation of the road is being funded from local resources and by local companies. The road is of strategic importance to Zimbabwe and the region serving as a crucial enabler for trade and development.
“As Government, we should commend ourselves for the completion and subsequent launch of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1): 2021 – 2025, as a successor plan to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme. The fourteen (14) pillars under NDS 1 will guide national budgeting and programming for the next five years. The 2021 Budget, which was presented to Cabinet and subsequently Parliament in November 2020, is premised on NDS 1, and hence represents the epitome of the reform and development agenda.”
On the macro-economic front, President Mnangagwa said the decision to deal decisively with malpractices by mobile money operators resulted in the restoration of sanity and integrity in the financial services sector.
“To contain the malpractices, the Bank is now operating on an interoperable electronic system for all agents’ transactions. This has been further buttressed by the introduction of the foreign currency exchange market which has brought about exchange rate stability as well as slowed down price increases. The bulk of the resources allocated through the foreign currency auction system are being directed towards the importation of raw materials, machinery and equipment for the productive sectors, which are critical for boosting productivity and import substitution.”
With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, the President said there is a need to deepen and broaden the deployment of technology in the public sector.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic saw the country adopting the new normal through the use of technologies in convening meetings, both locally and internationally. While virtual meetings have largely been successful, there is still a need to deepen and broaden the deployment of technology in the public sector. We should strive for the implementation of a wide area network (WAN) to help improve efficiency and effectiveness in Government.
“Some of the notable achievements recorded in the ICT/Digital economy include the virtual network for Cabinet Meetings, the launch of the national switch for electronic banking transactions, the e-learning platform for universities and schools, the e-procurement for Government and the roll-out of ICT kiosks and Community Information Centres (CICs) across provinces.”
He went on to commend the energy sector following an improvement in the supply of energy.
“Power supplies have relatively stabilised, and the completion of projects to further improve the situation as well as the implementation of the Renewable Energy Policy should consolidate this position. As a result of the power generation projects being implemented, the country should be self-sufficient and become a net exporter of power by 2023.”
He concluded by urging Cabinet Ministers and the citizenry to avoid exposure to Covid-19 by adhering to the prescribed preventative World Health Organisation measures and protocols.
