President Emmerson Mnangagwa has today given a speech of Independence Day with Zimbabwe turning 40 years under the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the speech, the Zimbabwean leader said the silver lining to the present global health crisis is the awakening of our national creativity and inventiveness.
“Beyond grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, we have to keep our economy functional. Unavoidable shocks and disruptions must be mitigated,” he said.
“Once the lockdown is over, we must all get back to work, with discipline and harder effort as we ready ourselves for a speedy economic recovery.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa also said that it is commendable that local industries and universities have become hubs for import substitution, starting with the essential materials needed for immediate use in our health sector.
“It is the expectation that buoyant industries that meet our needs, while serving regional, continental and even global demand will emerge henceforth,” the Zimbabwean leader said.
“Scientific research, development, innovation and technologies for the vast economic spectrum towards greater value addition will be encouraged.”
“Let us strive to be a knowledge-building, and knowledge-driven society, by turning our literacy levels to real goods and services for our people and beyond.”
The President also discussed the informal sector which has been growing in Zimbabwe.
“I am aware that our economy is now highly informal,” he said.
“My administration under the 2nd Republic will accelerate multi-pronged empowerment initiatives for start-ups and SMEs, especially those run by the youth and women, to grow and strengthen our manufacturing industrial base.”
“My administration will carry on using the law as a tool for development. Hence, the legislative agenda will be informed by this underlying principle.”
COVID-19 has resulted in the government turning places like tertiary institutions for the manufacture of required in the fight against COVID-19
“My administration is committed to support the manufacturing processes developed as part of our defence against Covid-19,” President Mnangagwa said.
