Foreword

Following the successful visit of the Turkish Delegation to Zimbabwe in December 2023, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), in collaboration with the Turkish Electro Technology (TET) Electrical and Electronics Exporters Association, hosted Business-to-Business Meetings at Meikles Hotel in Harare on 12 March 2024. The primary objective of these meetings was to facilitate partnerships and explore business opportunities between Turkish companies in the electro and electronics sector and Zimbabwean businesses. This event provided a unique platform for Zimbabwean companies in the electro and electronics sector to engage with potential buyers and suppliers from Turkey, intending to establish mutually beneficial business relationships.

Moderator: Mr. Peter Kadzere – CEO, Smartvest Wealth Managers Panelists: Mr. Dayford Nhema – Director of Industrial Development, Ministry of Industry and Commerce; Eng. Macheka Machumairi – Director of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Industry and Commerce; Ms. Eneida Fernandes - Country Manager, World Bank Zimbabwe; Mrs. Sara Moyo - Senior Partner, Honey & Blanckenberg; and Mr Ephraim Chawoneka – Managing Director, STF Capital.

The 2023 State of Industry and Commerce Survey was carried out between June and October 2023. These Panelists had positive words to say about the Report. Mr Ephraim Chawoneka was drawn to the table which provided reasons for low-capacity utilization. Of interest was the lack of adequate skills in a case of comparison in which average capacity utilization within the education sector rose from 53% in 2022 to 80% in 2023.

The upcoming visit of a Turkish business delegation to Zimbabwe in March 2024 is poised to significantly impact the business landscape of both countries. This event, facilitated by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) in collaboration with the Turkish Electro Technology (TET) Electrical and Electronics Exporters Association, represents a crucial opportunity for business leaders and entrepreneurs from both nations to forge strong partnerships and explore new avenues for growth and collaboration.

The Governor was in strong support of the ZNCC State of Industry and Commerce Survey.

Zimbabwe is not ready for artificial intelligence (AI). The big issues currently pressing are continental integration, economies of scale, innovation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure (power, transport, digital, etc.), and governance (zero corruption, democracy, rule of law).

Prof. Albert Makochekanwa who was the Consultant for the 2023 ZNCC Annual State of Industry and Commerce Survey presented on the Survey Results.

Moderator: Mr Amiel Matindike – Director, Axis Solutions   Panelists: Mr. Anthony Kabaghe – President, Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI); Mr Carlos E. Caceres - Resident Representative, IMF Zimbabwe; Ms. Eve C. Gadzikwa – CEO, SADC Accreditation Service; and Prof. Tony Hawkins – Economist

According to Prof. Tony Hawkins, two issues are standing out on the policy agenda and these include the debt overhang given the inconsistency in the GDP numbers and currency instability. In 43 years, Zimbabwe had only one IMF Staff Monitored Programme that has been successful and this has been affecting the re-engagement and engagement initiatives. The operating environment is marred by policy inconsistencies and in this sphere, de-dollarization is extremely difficult to achieve.