WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP

Monday

Global steel giant ArcelorMittal is now importing 45 000 tonnes of coke worth US$10 million monthly from Zimbabwe, a culmination of the “Zimbabwe is open for business” policy espoused by the Second Republic.

President Mnangagwa held talks with the firm’s chief executive officer and director, Mr Kobus Verster, last year and shared plans to build coke oven batteries as part of the beneficiation and value-addition process that will create thousands of jobs in Zimbabwe.

Tuesday

Zimbabwe’s iconic new Parliament building in Mount Hampden is one of the best legislative assembly structures not only in the Southern African region, but also on the continent, Eswatini leader King Mswati III’s son, Prince Lindani Nkosi, has said.

He said the Kingdom of Eswatini, which intends to build a new parliament, would be visiting Zimbabwe’s magnificent legislative assembly to draw lessons.

Wednesday

Cabinet on Tuesday approved an incentive planning price of US$440 per tonne for wheat and US$360 for maize and sorghum, with the Government assuring farmers of timeous payments for deliveries, as the Second Republic steps up efforts to prevent an El Niño -induced food deficit. Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said there will be increased hectarage for wheat this winter.

Thursday

The entrance of more milling companies into the market will break the monopoly that some foreign firms have been abusing and help curb wanton price increases of mealie meal, President Mnangagwa has said. This comes as indigenous investors continue to show confidence in the Second Republic, embracing the call to value-add products for sustainable industrialisation towards Vision 2030.

Friday

The new Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mushayavanhu, assumed office onThursday after his appointment was moved a month earlier. There are high expectations for him to hit the ground running and announce policy measures to curtail rising inflation and stabilise the exchange rate.