BCC consults over China Mall

Richard Muponde Sunday News Correspondent
BULAWAYO City Council is engaged in marathon discussions with its sister city of Polokwane in South Africa to establish a China City in Bulawayo similar to that which was constructed in the neighbouring country’s Limpopo province. Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo province, established a China City which is a shopping complex with 72 shops ranging from those selling clothes, shoes, handbags, toys, furniture and restaurants, among others.

BCC and Polokwane mooted the idea last year which also saw Polokwane coming to exhibit together with BCC at the local authority’s stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

The local authority’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, last week confirmed that indeed efforts to set up a China City in the city were gathering momentum.
“Our sister city Polokwane has developed a China City in their city and the idea to set up one in Bulawayo came through discussions with our counterparts in Polokwane. The suggestion was made that Bulawayo could enter into a similar arrangement and develop a China Mall. The discussions, however, are ongoing and have not been finalised. At the present moment we cannot give an actual timeline on this project” said Mrs Mpofu.

“It should be appreciated that the two cities are currently at the stage where relationship is in the process of development. We continue to explore opportunities to create linkages within the identified areas of cooperation.”

The China City in Polokwane is situated along the N1 Highway leading to Beitbridge at the Polokwane Airport junction that is on a central focal point of the Limpopo province making it easier for people to do their shopping without travelling all the way to Johannesburg.

Bulawayo and Polokwane signed a memorandum of understanding on 19 October 2012 under the auspices of the Trans-Limpopo Spartial Development Initiative.
Modalities of the joint ventures has grown to higher levels which saw BCC being invited to exhibit at the Polokwane Trade Affair in May this year which gave the local authority an opportunity to tap into the investment market of the neighbouring country.

The development comes at a time council is involved in efforts to convert Bulawayo’s Basch Street Terminus, popularly known as Egodini, into a regional public transport hub.
The project, which will involve construction of a shopping complex at the site, is expected to cost $59 million.
A South African civil engineering firm Tearracota (Pvt) Ltd has been awarded the tender for the job.