Thread by @OpenParlyZw

We are live in Parliament where the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is meeting with the parliamentary committee on Industry & Commerce for the Pre-Budget Consultation.

Here is the link to our Facebook live feed. facebook.com/openparlyzw/vi…

Industry & Commerce Ministry officials are led by Permanent Secretary Dr Mavis Sibanda. @ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda:The Ministry's overall functions include promoting & developing industrialisation & enterprises.Formulate & implementing industrial policies and also to take lead in investment negotiations. @ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda:We have faced some challenges this year as a ministry due to #Covid19, foreign currency challenges and smuggling of Foreign goods through the porous borders.
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Dr Sibanda: #Covid19 pandemic has led to restrictions which hampered implementation of planned programmes & projects. @ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda: Due to #Covid19 , the closure of borders affected the importation of raw materials. @ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda: We have also faced challenges of fuel and water supplies while reduced working hours because of #Covid19 had negative effects also. @ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda: Despite facing challenges in the Ministry, We have made some achievements. These include implementation of the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (2019-2023)
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Dr Sibanda:We have also improved on World Bank ease of doing business ranking from 156 to 140 and local content strategy has been implemented. @ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda:We have also successfully funded the Industrial Development Corporation to the tune of ZWL$124 million. @ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda: We have also recorded achievements after we successfully launched the National & Provincial Quality Forums in 10 provinces.@ParliamentZim

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Dr Sibanda:We have also registered 4000 companies in the reserved sectors. We have also implemented roller meal subsidy programme which saw the participation by millers countrywide. @ParliamentZim

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Mildred Machiri the Ministry Director for Finance: As of 30 September 2020 employment costs were a total of ZWL$6, 626,255. @ParliamentZim

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Machiri:Out of a total of ZWL$3 060 000 allocation for acquisition of fixed assets, ZWL$2 287 113 was spent on installation of access control, procurement of computers & related office furniture & equipment. @ParliamentZim

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Machiri: A total of ZWL$6 700, 000 allocated for vehicles was utilised to pay for vehicles not funded during end of 2019 financial year and the vehicles were delivered in good condition. @ParliamentZim

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Machiri: A total amount of ZWL$60 million was paid to Chemplex towards purchase of water treatment chemicals & a balance of ZWL$50 million is still to be disbursed by @ZimTreasury.
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Machiri:The Ministry collects revenue through Standards Development Fund Levy Act Chapter 14:19. This Fund was established to promote the development of standards & quality to ensure industrial competitiveness. @ParliamentZim

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Machiri: The Ministry also collects revenue through charging licensing fees from importers & exporters. The current fees are $150 per licence. @ParliamentZim

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Machiri:In order to increase revenue collection , debtors will be aggressively followed up and awareness programmes would be carried out to sensitize employers on the need to meet their obligations. @ParliamentZim
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