Story by Tichaona Kurewa
The Masuwe Special Economic Zone in Victoria Falls has attracted international investors after a recent visit by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa.
The IDC is scouting for potential investment opportunities in the zone, which is expected to boost economic growth and job creation in the region.
The South African entity is following up on discussions held last year pointing to abundant investment opportunities in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone in Victoria Falls.
The focus is on establishing tourist routes that connect South Africa, Zimbabwe and other regional destinations to ensure seamless travel.
“The reason we’re here is that as the IDC we are focused on value chain tourism assets and it’s hard to think about tourism without thinking of the Vic Falls. So that’s why we had to come and see what opportunities are here, what the government is focussing on and see how we can partner going forward because through our research, it is evident that most inbound tourist customers are people coming into the region from Europe, China and that they usually have a very clear track that they follow when they visit our countries. So in that time South Africa, Zimbabwe up to Uganda and Morocco all of that seems to be the track that they follow so we need to have a solution that speaks to the regional economy and making sure that we’ve got the scale and the offering. I think if you look at the Vic Falls it’s very hard not to see it as a very strong proposition for an international traveller who moves from Cape Town to the Kruger and then to the Vic Falls,” said IDC South Africa Agro of Industries and Services Sectors head, Mr Bongani Miya.
Government has expressed optimism in the investor’s capacity to fund bulk infrastructure, a critical component for the zone’s development.
Of particular importance is the construction of a hospital with a surgical theatre.
“Today we are very happy because we are noticing and realising a follow-up from the investor, from IDC investors who are just here to see the land and to go through what we had talked about during our meeting in Johannesburg. They haven’t committed anything at the moment but we are showing them the commitment about what Zimbabwe Cricket is doing. It’s just about 271 hectares where we think if everything goes well they will provide funding for bulk infrastructure and the most important thing that is needed is a hospital with a theatre which is a requirement for the World Cup.
“Also, we have three airlines that have intentions, big airlines who have intentions to come to Zimbabwe but they can’t land in Victoria Falls because there’s no hospital with a theatre. So those are the two key issues that we are discussing with them, the bulk infrastructure and a hospital with a theatre,” said the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi.
The IDC delegation’s visit is a massive boost for the Masuwe Special Economic Zone and underscores the importance of incentives to promote investments in the country.
The Masuwe Special Economic Zone is progressing well, with the Mosi-oa-Tunya Multipurpose cricket stadium taking shape alongside other infrastructure development projects.
Upon completion, the Masuwe Special Economic Zone will comprise amenities such as a four-star hotel with a 5 000 seater conference facility, medical tourism facilities, a golf estate and a shopping mall among other amenities.
