Zimbabwe State of the Nation Address - 06 December 2016

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

In line with Zim-Asset and the Ten Point Plan, Government has introduced several measures to promote local content requirements across all the sectors of the economy, especially in agro-processing, mining, manufacturing, construction and tourism. Our major objective is to increase local capacity, create a skilled work force, and become a competitive supplier base.

The recently gazette Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 has already started to bear fruit by improving the efficient use of foreign exchange, and in enhancing local production, thereby reducing import dependence. A number of local companies in the plastics, packaging and food manufacturing sector, that include Tregers, Nampak, Proplastics and several others have been immediate beneficiaries of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016. Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

Acceleration of implementation of policy reforms is supported by Government's policy action in revitalising agriculture, infrastructure development, unlocking the potential of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), encouraging private sector investments, fostering financial sector stability, and through the observance of zero tolerance to corruption. The reforms are meant to both rejuvenate the national economy and contribute to poverty reduction.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

My Government is importing grain in order to address the grain deficit caused by the devastating effects of the recent drought.

To date, Government has imported over 300 000 metric tonnes of maize, whilst about 200 000 metric tonnes have been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots by our farmers. Meanwhile, the private sector has also supported Government by importing 25 000 metric tonnes.

Add to this the amount of $360 million for grain importation pledged by our Development Partners. I wish to appreciate and thank the private sector and Development Partners who have joined hands with Government to ensure that our people get sufficient food supplies.

Government has introduced the Command Agriculture Special Maize and Small Grains Production Programmes, targeting a minimum of two million tonnes of maize from both irrigable and dry land farms among A1, A2 and small-holder farmers. In addition, Government is also rolling out the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme to support 800 000 communal farmers. Our aim is to revitalise agricultural productivity, so as to assure ourselves of national food security.

Beyond tobacco production, which has immensely recovered in the last few years, Government will support the farming production of a number of other crops such as soya beans, wheat and cotton. Government is working on the resuscitation of cotton production in the forthcoming two seasons, by providing inputs to cotton farmers. It is also part of the cotton resuscitation programmes to restructure the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe.

In the livestock sector, Zimbabwe's dairy industry is poised for further growth, as Government together with several industry players, is implementing comprehensive inclusive national milk production programmes that are set to ensure self sufficiency by 2020. In 2015, milk production reached only 58 million litres against an estimated national demand of 120 million litres.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

It is pleasing to note that in 2016, mining generally performed positively, buoyed by favourable market prices, especially those of precious metals. Cumulative declared mineral export shipments to June 2016, totalled $981,4 million, contributing 63,4 percent of national export proceeds, and the major earners being gold, platinum, diamond, ferrochrome and nickel. Gold production by our artisanal miners has been steadily rising since the $100 million support facility for the sector.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

I am pleased to note the tremendous progress achieved so far in accelerating the Ease of Doing Business, thereby promoting both domestic and foreign investment. The recent promulgation of the Special Economic Zones Act should provide greater impetus to the country's economic turnaround by facilitating foreign direct investment inflows, industrialisation, technology transfer, employment creation and increased export receipts.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

For the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Social Partners, as a collective, time is ripe for them to vigorously pursue the Social Contract, as agreed in the Kadoma Declaration. Investor friendly measures to boost confidence, productivity and competitiveness, should be strengthened, while the key tenets of good corporate governance and policy consistency are also vigorously pursued. I therefore urge all the social partners, primarily Government, Business and Labour, to work together to reduce the cost of doing business.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

Tourism continues to experience tremendous growth and development. During the first half of 2016, Zimbabwe recorded a total of 902 435 tourist arrivals, receiving a significant increase from Asia and America. The average national room occupancy rate has marginally increased from 41 percent to 42 percent. By year end, it is forecast that Zimbabwe will record 2, 5 million tourist arrivals, which contributes to the GDP percent. The peace and tranquillity that we enjoy as a country positively contributes to the success achieved in tourism.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, sir,

The Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Ministry plays a pivotal role in the growth of our economy. Government capacitates this sector through training, infrastructure provision, marketing and the creation of linkages and entrepreneurship development. In order to improve access to finance by SMEs and Cooperatives, Government approved the establishment of a microfinance bank under the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation. The bank will be capitalised through the issue of Treasury Bills valued at $10 million.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir

In pursuit of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, Government has, since Independence, introduced programmes to empower women economically, socially and politically. To this end, we have put high on the agenda the establishment of a Women's Micro-Finance bank. This will assist women to establish and grow their business in the various sectors of our economy. It is incumbent upon Government to ensure that funds are availed in order for the bank to be operational.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

Government is concerned about the high levels of Gender Based Violence (GBV), particularly against women and girls. In response, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Courts have collaborated in establishing an elaborate multi-sectoral gender based violence mechanism, Victim Friendly systems are determined to fight gender based violence in all its forms. Government appeals to churches and community leaders to take a leading role in shaping an appropriate social fabric and moral behaviour in our society.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

The 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey results have shown an improved child mortality for the under 5s, and also an improved child nutrition status, with child stunting going down from 35 percent to 27 percent; and an increased ante-natal care for pregnant women. It is pleasing to note that such good results have been achieved at a low cost.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

This year the power supply in the country improved significantly, with minimal load shedding since the beginning of 2016. This is largely due to measures which were instituted at the end of 2015, such as enhancing generation from Hwange Power Station and increasing imports from the region. Government is also working on increasing local power generation to close the local power production deficit.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has designed a comprehensive Curriculum Framework for Primary and Secondary Education.

The Curriculum Framework aims at equipping learners with the capacities for creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, entrepreneurial and collaborative skills and team building. This prepares learners to pursue carriers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, Humanities and languages, Design and Technology, and Commercials.

In order to promote human capital development, Government has begun implementing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Policy strategy. The STEM initiative has seen the enrolment of over 5 000 students to study A-Level Mathematics and in any two science subjects. This aimed at the development of STEM skills to support Zimbabwe's quest for industrialisation and modernisation.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

In line with the Zim-Asset objectives Government this year created 69 648 stands for the National Housing Deliver Programme. It is also working on availing land to formerly disadvantaged groups, including Youths and Women, in support of Youth and Women Empowerment and Development programmes. Government has also designated the Urban Development Corporation (UDCORP), to spearhead urban development in general and housing delivery in particular. UDCORP is championing the development of stand-alone urban centres which will be developed in Chishawasha B, Knockmalloch near Norton, and Umvutcha in Bulawayo.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

Following the adoption by Government of the 2015 Civil Service Audit Report, the Public Service Commission aims to realign, rationalise and restructure line Ministries and structure government establishments. The Commission is currently implementing a number of structural reforms including the abolition of redundant vacant non-critical posts. It is also in the process of rationalising the duplications and overlaps of functions between and among line ministries, and is carrying out job re-engineering, job enrichment and multiskilling. The resultant effect would be leaner and flatter structures that are economic and would thus enhance effective and quality service delivery.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

Zimbabwe made history and left a permanent mark at both regional and continental levels following our chairing of both Sadc and AU in 2014 and 2015. The country championed the development and adoption of regional industrial strategy hinged on value addition and beneficiation. Zimbabwe also steered the adoption of the AU Agenda 2063, which is Africa's development blueprint. Meanwhile, we continue to call for the weaning of both Sadc and AU from overdependence of foreign funding especially on issues of peace and security.

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

Let me conclude by paying tribute to our peace loving people, who have endured all manner of economic hardships since we embarked on the historic land reform programme. I wish to recommend them for their resilience and urge them to cherish the peace and tranquillity that continues to be the envy of many. Let us continue to find national pride in our core values of unity, hard work and freedom. But least we forget, let us pray to the Almighty to graciously open the heavens for more rain this season!

Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir,

I wish to take this opportunity to wish the nation an accident free festive season and a happy prosperous 2017

Tatenda

Siyabonga

I thank you