ZimAsset reviving the economy: Mugabe

via ZimAsset reviving the economy: Mugabe 21 July 2014 by Everson Mushava

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday said Zimbabwe’s economy was on a rebound despite the mounting negative campaign fuelled by “the country’s detractors”.

Addressing guests at the 2014 President’s Medal Shoot Competition prize-giving ceremony in Harare, Mugabe said the Zanu PF government had employed several strategies to rescue the economy from the woods.

“Part of this shooting competition makes reference to socio-economic transformation,” Mugabe said.

He said his government’s economic turnaround strategy was premised on the blueprint policy ZimAsset (Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation) — and Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM).

“Let me assure our people that the country’s economy is on a recovery path. Government is going to employ several measures aimed at achieving desired results. Key among such strategies is ZimAsset.”

Mugabe’s remarks came at a time economists have expressed concern over the country’s deteriorating economic situation.

The country is grappling with massive deflation worsened by severe capital flight as both local and international
investors continue to lose confidence in the country’s political leadership.

Unemployment rate, according to unofficial statistics, is now soaring above 90% with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union claiming that over 300 workers were being retrenched every week.

Economists and the opposition MDC-T have accused Mugabe’s government, which is also struggling to pay its
230 000-strong workforce, of failing to revive the economy, accusing it of being clueless and too engrossed with internal political fights.

Mugabe’s government is also struggling to raise the $27 billion required to fund its ZimAsset programme.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai recently described the deepening economic crisis as a “high security risk” and “a ticking time bomb”.

The former Premier claimed that policy inconsistency, particularly on the country’s empowerment laws by Mugabe and the Zanu PF government was the precursor to the economic collapse.

However, Mugabe was bullish yesterday, saying: “ZimAsset will have all government and quasi-government institutions formulate their strategic action plans to be supervised through the Integrated Results-Based Management. IRBM is a strategic management tool aimed at effectively eradicating mal-performance. It focuses on enhancing commitment and duty consciousness in all government workforces.

“I am confident that the implementation of IRBM should effectively bring about the desired success of our economic turnaround.”

The shooting competition, which brought together top shooters from the police, army, prisons, intelligence and the general public was held under the theme Sharpening existing skills towards national security and socio-economic transformation.

Mugabe praised the security forces for working diligently to raise the country’s flag high on foreign soils where they have excelled on United Nations and African Union-supervised peacekeeping missions.

Speaking at the same event, host Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri described Mugabe as a visionary leader and awarded him “the best shooter of all times” award.

The presentation ceremony was attended by Senior Minister of State Simon Khaya Moyo, Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi, Minister of State in the President’s Office Didymus Mutasa, service chiefs and several government officials.