Businesses urged to embrace technology

ZIMBABWEAN businesses have been urged to embrace technology to come up with ideas that can make them relevant and competitive on a global scale.

Speaking to a full house at the 5th edition of the International Business Conference on the sidelines of the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, ZITF Company chairperson Dr Busisa Moyo has said businesses should compete with confidence locally and beyond using cutting-edge technology.

The International Business Conference will be presided over by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga as the guest of honour.

“It requires not just companies but also industries that can meet standards, deliver consistently, and compete with confidence locally, regionally, and globally using cutting-edge technology,” he said.

“Today’s conference agenda is to plant the seeds for a truly transformative agenda between private sector and the public sector, and our policymakers as 2030 approaches to further industrialise in a way that achieves the goals that we have set for ourselves.

“This is to outline and paint the picture of private sector contribution to this aspiration and the policies that are needed for us to arrive where we want to arrive much sooner than is envisaged.”

On a wider scale, to remain connected for the long term, Competitive industries, he said, are built across vertical ecosystems that deliver end products that consumers require.

“Our brotherhood in this century must be underpinned by a continual exchange of felt value, value that makes a difference,” he added.

“National Development Strategy 2 emphasises that it’s private sector-led and we have heard this many times over, hence deepening private sector participation is core.

“All businesses, large firms, medium to small enterprises, startups and industry bodies must be positioned as co-designers and co-implementers of solutions, including joint ventures, supplier development and shared infrastructure models that enable scale.

“All of this must align to Zimbabwe’s national development goals, jobs, skills, innovation, inclusion and resilience while strengthening global connectivity.”

Dr Moyo paid tribute to the 775 businesses that are exhibiting at this year’s premier business showcase, citing that there has been a notable increase in this year’s trade fair business.-herald