INDUSTRY and Commerce minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has called on stakeholders in the sector to prioritise sustainable industrial growth through the use of smart energy.
Speaking at the Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe 2024 (BCSDZ) annual conference in Harare yesterday, Ndlovu said the sector should take serious initiatives around sustainability.
The conference was held under the theme “Catalysing Industrial Sustainability Building Resilient Enterprises.”
Zimbabwe is grappling with a worsening energy crisis in which some parts of the country experience more than 18 hours of loadshedding a day.
The power shortage is a result of low energy production at the country’s two top sources, the Hwange Thermal Power Station and Kariba South Hydro Power Station.
“This year the BCSDZ annual conference is to report on sustainable business practices to build a resilient industry. That is why we need to develop an economy in a sustainable manner.
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“The government, in our pursuit for resilience, has prioritised inclusive, sustainable industrial development. In this regard, the country’s economy is covered with the other themes, by structural transformation towards sustainable and resilient industrialisation,” he said.
Ndlovu said government had laid down a plan that would drive industrial transformation and growth while also reducing the import bill.
“The cost of doing business, as usual, neglects the inevitable hazards brought about by unsustainable business practices and is simply catastrophic,” Ndlovu said.
He said they were implementing the Developing Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan, focusing on growth opportunities in the industrial and commercial sectors, with the aim of reducing the import bill and facilitating growth.
“This transitional plan takes detailed strategies to address manufacturing cost drivers, strengthening value chains, and promoting linkages with our MSMEs,” he said.
Ndlovu encouraged industry to utilise available resources and become innovative in order to attain sustainability development.
“There is, therefore, a need for the manufacturing sector, and business in general, to undertake sustainable production practices and build resilience against shocks. This can be done through the optimisation of resources and processes across the supply chain, implementation of circular innovations to meet sustainability demands and the utilisation of advanced technologies for the automation of production flows and the overall business,” he said.
“The Industry ministry has recognised that the restructuring of the industrial system needs a diverse, inclusive and cross-sector approach. Therefore, as a ministry, we are inviting the private sector to collaborate in the development of green industry strategies.
“These green industry strategies will be incorporated in the drafting of our upcoming Buffer Industrial Development Policy, which will be published.”
The minister urged industry players to be competitive and take advantage of African Continental Free Trade Area to expand on the market and develop the country’s industry.
BCSDZ incoming chairperson Kurai Matsheza said BCSDZ aimed to improve sustainable energy power with climate smart energy systems that did not harm the environment.
“In 2024-26, we get key industrial players, technical experts, to build consensus and sanctions towards inclusivity, promoting sustainability, industrial development.
“Challenges and opportunities offered by climate change co-operations clearly include climate risk in their plan, while enhancing climate change mitigation and adaptation throughout the value chain.
“The BCSDZ has, in recent years, prioritised climate action through information dissemination and sharing on climate action.”
He said since 2018, BCSDZ had facilitated energy and water transition efforts, expanding the project to include wind and the hydro fluorocarbons in 2021.