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businesspeople create synergies with their counterparts in the neighbouring country to stem the problem of de-industrialisation.
In an interview on the sidelines of the Heroes’ Day commemorations in Bulawayo yesterday, Ambassador Mphoko said there were many business opportunities in South Africa that local companies could exploit.
He implored the city’s businesspeople to take advantage of his presence and utilise his office to lure investment.
“Our people must take advantage of my presence here to ask about investment opportunities in South Africa. Opportunities are there in South Africa and we can work together to lure investment into Bulawayo,” said Ambassador Mphoko.
“The revival of Bulawayo industries is the priority in President Mugabe’s programmes. The President came to South Africa last year and talked to President Zuma about that issue. That is his top priority. There is also a need for you the media to articulate this issue properly and put it in its proper perspective so that it can be addressed accordingly.”
Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema, who was the guest of honour during the Heroes Day commemorations, said the demise of Bulawayo industries was a dishonour to the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to improve livelihoods for ordinary Zimbabweans.
“The heroes that lie here today would want the economy of Bulawayo to be better than what it is today. They expect us to revive the ailing companies. I was with Ambassador Mphoko in Harare discussing this issue,” said Governor Mathema.
“The Ambassador will be with me in my office to meet Bulawayo companies and discuss how they can make use of his office to create partnerships with South Africans and help revive the city’s economy. We need to ensure that all the underperforming companies are back on their feet. We do not only need to revive the closed companies but to establish new factories.”
Once the country’s industrial hub, Bulawayo has seen more than 85 companies closing shop in the last decade with an estimated 20 000 workers losing their jobs.
The imposition of illegal sanctions on the country by the United States and its allies in the West has exacerbated the situation.
The development has also been blamed for the mass exodus of skilled manpower to neighbouring countries.
A majority of firms had pinned their hopes on the Government’s Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf), which has however, turned out to be a pipedream amid bickering between ministries involved.
CABS, which was entrusted to disburse the funding to companies, has come under fire from Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube who accused the bank of refusing to cooperate.
The bank has however announced that it has disbursed more than $10 million to ailing companies whose names are yet to be made public.
Online Reporter