Ms. Florence A. Makombe, Chief Director Industry, Ministry of Industry and Commerce delivered a keynote address at the Motor Industry Association of Zimbabwe Annual Conference which kicked off today at Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls on behalf of the Minister Hon. Nqobizitha M. Ndhlovu.
Ms. Florence A. Makombe noted that, in the National Development Strategy 1 , the Government “considered this value chain (Bus & Truck) as a low-hanging fruit, with great potential, to structurally transform our economy given the existing plant infrastructure and idle capacity which can be competitively used in the production of buses and trucks.”
The Chief Director added “The main objective is to support the local industry to increase the supply of domestically manufactured buses and delivery trucks. This will indirectly benefit other ancillary downstream industries.”
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is encouraging players in the Motor Industry Sector to focus on import substitution and take advantage of resources available in the country such as lithium deposits.
These deposits can add value to the motor industry value chain in the manufacturing of car batteries amongst other requirements. The sector must also look into tyre manufacturing.
The Ministry will continue to work tirelessly on improving local assembling through the implementation of the Motor Industry Development Policy (2018-2030).
Among those attending the Motor Industry Association of Zimbabwe Annual Conference are Croco Motors, Toyota Zimbabwe, NEC, CMED, Motor Industry Pension Fund, Fuel Retailers Zimbabwe, ZERA, Transerv, Competition and Tariff Commission, Central Vehicle Registry, AVM Africa, etc.