Beitbridge town seeks investors for special economic zone opportunities

BEITBRIDGE Municipality is seeking investors to tap into its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) opportunities.

Town clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola, yesterday said the council has prioritised high-impact projects to promote economic growth, including agro-based industries, canning, turnery, manufacturing, transport and logistics, ICT, tourism and culture, healthcare, mining, education, accommodation and recreation, dry ports, bonded warehouses and oil processing.

Others include glass manufacturing, citrus production and value addition of related products, shipping and forwarding and aviation.

The council has made more than 240 hectares of land available for SEZ projects and recently resolved to expedite business proposals from potential investors.

Its push for increased economic development follows moves by the Government to develop the town into a modern city.
Mr Ramakgapola, yesterday said the town has a lot of investment opportunities, which the business community can explore.

He said the local authority has been marketing its investment products at various forums, including local business expos and recently at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, among others.

“We have just completed a successful tour at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair where we were selling opportunities to interested and potential investors,” said Mr Ramakgapola.

“In addition, we have been engaging the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) to promote investment in our town.”

Zida’s main focus is promoting, planning and implementing investment promotion strategies across the country.

The agency also facilitates entry and implementation of investor plans, establishes and regulates SEZs, promotes, reviews and recommends public private partnerships.

According to Mr Ramakgapola, the council was working on engaging in a look and learn programme at other local authorities with established SEZ facilities.

Among other things, the local authority recently resolved to promptly process business proposals from investors to reduce red tape that frustrates economic growth.

Although the town has been growing rapidly in property development, there has been slow movement on the business side, with council saying it is important to match that with the growth of both light and heavy industries.

The Government has sought to transform the town into a modern city in the last five years by constructing a new fire station, plant and animal quarantine centre, new sewer oxidation dam and a 11,4 mega litres water reservoir.

All these are critical in providing critical services required for businesses to grow in the town and accommodate the rapid population growth.

The town has an estimated population of 100 000 and hosts about 15 000 others in transit every day.