Story by Lisa Masuku
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to the devolution and decentralisation of essential services after setting up a southern region branch for the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) in Bulawayo.
In a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to devolve investment promotion and promote ease of doing business, the country’s investment promotion body ZIDA has taken a stance to expand its visibility and accessibility to local and international investors.
“This region is very important in the advancement of the economy. It shows our commitment to devolve investment promotion in the country,” said ZIDA CEO, Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo.
Expectations are the ZIDA southern region office will play a key role in attracting investment and creating employment in the city, according to the Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and Devolution, Honourable Judith Ncube.
“Bulawayo is traditionally known as the industrial hub, and am confident the ZIDA southern region office will play a key role in attracting investment into the city,” she said.
The Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube who was the guest of honour at the event noted this will dovetail with the national strategy to promote domestic investment as well as foreign direct investment.
“Part of government’s strategy in the last three years has been to drive the devolution program and the decentralisation of such operations by agencies such as ZIDA is part of the process which plays a role in addressing the ease of doing business for local and foreign investors in the country,” he said.
The ZIDA southern region office will service Bulawayo Province, Matebeleland North and South, Masvingo, and Midlands Province.
