Mugabe opens 1st session of 8th Parliament

Published: 17 September 2013

President Mugabe today officially opened the first session of the 8th Parliament during which he set the legislative agenda for this session.

The President said there was need to come up with new legislation to give legal meaning to some institutions as provided in the new constitution with emphasis being on reviving the economy.

He said Government would prioritise irrigation, marketing incentives and supplying of inputs to farmers to boost the agricultural sector where production has suffered due to erratic rainfall and inadequate funding.

He added that Government would also mobilise funds for the resuscitation of closed or distressed companies.

To this end he said efforts to promote domestic and foreign investment will be pursued through Private Public Partnerships.

He said there was need to revitalise ailing parastatals that have capacity to contribute 40 percent of the country's GDP.

In this regard he said heads of all parastatals will be forced to adopt key result area assessments. He added that Government will exercise zero tolerance to the scourge of corruption with anti-corruption commission and its members expected to declare their personal assets.

The President said the mining sector was expected to play a catalytic role in the economic revival of the country. He added that measures were afoot to fully operationalise the Chisumbanje ethanol plant to ensure fuel self sufficiency and create employment.

In terms of tourism the President said the sector should build on the momentum generated by the successful hosting of the UNWTO by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
- herald

Tags: Mugabe,