President to attend economic conference

PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA will headline the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) scheduled for Victoria Falls next week.

ZEDCON is an annual event that brings together Government officials, business leaders, academics and other stakeholders to discuss ways to address economic challenges facing Zimbabwe.

Topics up for discussion include infrastructure financing, sustainable debt management, evaluation of Government’s valuefor-money policy, boosting productivity in the informal sector, green bonds, climate financing and carbon credits, and effectiveness of development assistance.

The three-day conference, which begins on October 1, will run under the theme “Public and Private Resource Mobilisation for Sustainable Development”.

In an interview, Ministry of Finance and Investment Promotion spokesperson Mr Clive Mphambela said:

“The keynote speaker is His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr ED Mnangagwa.

“The conference will provide a platform for established academics and researchers alike to present their solution-oriented research to policy- and decision-makers on the issues presented on the pillars.

“It is a platform for exchanging notes and meeting up with different players in the economy; share their insight that can feed into the financial, economic and investment agenda; and help in exploring financial models that accelerate resilient recovery and sustainable economic development.”

He said the ministry is continually improving the conference each year in order to shape “Zimbabwe’s economic development narrative through a multi-stakeholder approach”.

Other topics set for discussion include resource mobilisation and financing of the National Development Strategy 1; leveraging on the informal sector for development; enhancing the role of the private sector in the economy; and inflation and exchange rate dynamics.

“From the conference, we expect improved collaboration and inclusivity between Government and all stakeholders; to formulate research and evidence-based economic policies; to promote effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of financial economic policies; draw notes for the 2024 budget preparations; promote private and public sector collaborations in mobilising resources for sustainable development; stimulated financial sector development; and inculcating a culture for expenditure management and value-for-money policy.”