Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
Government says Mashonaland Central province will become the country’s future industrial hub, with a clarion call being made for investors to set up shop in the province.
The third edition of the Mashonaland Central investment conference held in Mazowe on Thursday lived up to its billing with millions worth of investment proposals being made through networking between the public, private sector and foreign investors from the United Arab Emirates, Australia and China.
Mr Farai Sagonda of Youngtec Engineering said, “Young Tech Engineering is proposing to make an investment of 30 million in Mazowe by setting up a special economic zone industrial park and propose to establish three companies as an operating company and also as a developer of an industrial park. They propose gold purification, the second one is the establishment of a conference facility. And these two projects will create 1 500 jobs in direct investment.”
“This investment conference is going very well. We are at Makumbiri Game Park where we are meeting investors. We are partnering with Mazowe RDC in showcasing our investment opportunities Mbire RDC is showcasing some of its heritage tourism sites,” said Mbire RDC executive officer-administration, Mr Raphael Karaza.
The multi-million dollar Makumbiri Game Park and Resort, which hosted the event was officially opened by the government, signalling a boost for the tourism sector.
“This business is in line with Vision 2030. We have created 75 jobs and are not only targeting the local market, but foreign tourists as well to attract the much-needed foreign currency to our country,” said Makumbiri Game Park and Resort’s director, Mr. Jefta Mugweni Makumbiri.
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Christopher Magomo highlighted a new era of industrial development is upon the country.
“Mashonaland Central will be the industrial hub of the future, however, this will not be achieved by the government alone. At the dawn of the Second Republic, President Emmerson Mnangagwa decreed, ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ and Mashonaland Central is not spared.”
Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe assured investors of full support from the province.
“We urge all our office bearers to observe the ease of doing business so that we do not scare away investors. Let’s not think about what’s in it for me. A nation is not built that way.”
The discovery of oil and gas by Australian firm, Invictus Energy in Mashonaland Central province is a major drawcard for investors posing massive potential to develop several direct industries.
Production of gas to electricity is in the pipeline with Mbuyu Company set to produce 500 megawatts.
