STAFF WRITER
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed a Presidential Advisory Council comprising businessmen, scholars and members of the clergy as the new leader commits to a raft of reforms to reverse an economic implosion.
Zimbabwe’s economy is currently facing its highest annual inflation since dollarisation, high unemployment and foreign currency shortages that have seen some companies folding while others have scaled down operations to stay afloat.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda said the 24-member council will be chaired by Mnangagwa and will have several sub-committees with varying mandates.
High profile members of the council include former Delta Corporation chief executive Joe Mutizwa, United Refineries Limited CE Busisa Moyo, Sakunda chief executive Kuda Tagwirei Agribank boss Sam Malaba and his IDBZ counterpart Thomas Sakala, Securico founder Divine Ndhlukula and former African Sun chief Shingi Munyeza. Other members include ex-Zesa CE Simbarashe Mangwengwende, EcoCash GM Natalie Jabangwe, top lawyer Edwin Manikai and academic Kuzvinetsa Nzvimbo. It also includes CABS Managing director Simon Hammond and Richard Wilde to represent minorities.
“The presidential Advisory Council, PAC, will serve as the President’s sounding board on key economic reforms, issues and initiatives, in line with his ‘Zimbabwe is open for business and dialogue mantra’,” Sibanda said in a statement.
The Council, which is expected to be non-partisan, will among other responsibilities help with a comprehensive situational analysis of the state of the economy, and investment climate in the country. It is also expected to proffer ideas and suggestions on key reforms and measures needed to improve the investment and business climate in the country for economic recovery and growth.
