Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, sukulwenkosi.dube@chronicle.co.zw
PRIVATE economic players have been urged to align their strategic plans with Government line ministries and provincial economic development blueprints to ensure the achievement of national development targets and stimulate economic growth.
Presidential Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, made this call on Tuesday during a visit to Blanket Mine in Gwanda. He emphasised the importance of harmonising corporate strategies with provincial development plans to achieve sector-wide growth.
Eng Muguti stated that provinces are expected to project their growth across all sectors. For this to occur, the Government must ensure the provision of essential social services, such as roads, refuse collection and land for housing, enabling companies to meet their targets.
He highlighted that, under the devolution programme, all provinces now operate under five-year provincial economic development plans, which serve as roadmaps for growth and transformation.
“As Government, we must understand and incorporate the projections of companies so that their plans and those of the Government are synchronised. When it comes to provincial economic plans, it is important for the Government to include all stakeholders, including private players,” said Eng Muguti.
He commended the collaboration between Blanket Mine and Matabeleland South Province, noting its potential to drive economic progress.
“I am impressed to see that Blanket Mine, one of the province’s economic powerhouses, is working closely with local authorities. We want to see the 1,600 tonnes of gold currently being produced annually by Blanket Mine increase significantly,” he said.
Eng Muguti stressed the need for Government investment in social infrastructure such as roads, which are critical for economic growth.
Ministers of State will now take a more hands-on role in company operations, identifying areas where Government intervention is needed and serving as conduits to the Central Government for economic matters.
Eng Muguti explained that his tour of the mine was part of a broader initiative to assess how provinces are implementing their economic plans and to identify opportunities for production growth.
“This tour is crucial in informing Government strategies to ensure that provinces start realising increased production.
“Companies must work closely with Government ministries to forecast growth and unlock opportunities in various sectors,” he said.
He added that Government players within provinces would be expected to devise innovative strategies to stimulate growth across industries, emphasising that collaboration between the public and private sectors is key to achieving sustainable economic development.
