Introduction of Keynote Speaker - ZimTrade

INTRODUCTION OF THE KEY NOTE SPEAKER,BY THE ZIMTRADE BOARD CHAIRMAN,MR. J. SIZIBAAT THE ZIMTRADE EXPORTERS’ CONFERENCE4 APRIL 2012MEIKLES HOTEL, HARARETHEME:‘‘BUILDING SUSTAINABLE EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY’’ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED0

Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. Mike C. Bimha;Secretary for Industry and Commerce, Mrs. Abigail Shonhiwa;Chairperson of This Session, Mr. Kumbirayi Katsande;ZimTrade Board Members;Chief Executive Officer of ZimTrade, Ms. Sithembile P. Pilime;Senior Government Officials Here Present;Members of the Diplomatic Corps;Captains of Industry and Commerce;Distinguished Exporters;Ladies and Gentlemen:It gives me much pleasure to stand before you at a moment ofexcitement in my organization generated by the timely launch of theIndustrial Development and the National Trade Policies (2012-2016). Itis very clear; in both Policy Documents that trade will be the engine foreconomic growth and development.1

ZimTrade, having the mandate to develop and promote trade, has beenchallenged to carry out its mandate efficiently and effectively so as toensure that the targets of restoring the manufacturing sector’scontribution to Zimbabwe’s GDP from the current 15% to 30% and itscontribution to exports from 26% to 50% of total exports by 2016 aremet.We call upon the Government to increase its contribution to match theprivate sector’s contribution through the Trade Surcharge as originallyagreed by both stakeholders, that is, the private sector and Governmentat ZimTrade inception.My organization recognizes that The National Trade Policy (2012-2016)takes centre stage in the transformation of the productive sectors of theeconomy. As the National Trade Development Organization, we will beproactive in the implementation of the Trade Policy.In this regard, I am delighted to inform you that my Board is fullysupportive of the Strategic Turnaround initiative which Management hasembarked upon with the support of funding from the EU as alreadystated by the CEO. This process will rebuild the capacity of ZimTrade toeffectively implement the National Trade Policy.Ladies and Gentlemen,Today I have the rare honour and privilege to introduce a very specialguest, our Key Note Speaker for the 2012 Exporters’ Conference. He isthe Honourable Mike Bimha, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce,in the Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe. He was appointed to thisposition in February 2009.2

Ladies and Gentlemen,I now present to you the Honourable Mike Bimha.3