Vusumuzi Dube
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Bulawayo Economic Development Agency (Beda) has managed to clinch a deal with Belarusian Private Sector Agency, AFtrade DMCC, which could see the establishment of a milk processing plant in the city.
According to details of the proposed deal, the partners had an option of also reviving the existing defunct Dairiboard Plant.
Beda is an Investment, Trade and Business Promotion Agency in the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Judith Ncube.
The Minister chairs the agency.
According to the latest council report, Minister Ncube recently led a delegation to Belarus after being invited by AFtrade DMCC that was exploring for strategic partnerships with African countries and has already been working with the Zimbabwe Government officials.
“The scouting for solutions included solutions around Medical Supplies, Medical Care Equipment and Consumables for the City and the broader Provincial Public Healthcare Institutions, Solid Waste Management Solutions, Clean Water and Waste Water Solutions, Plant and Equipment. It also sought to find solutions for Food Security Systems and how to ramp up the Province’s Agrarian Production through Sustainable Mechanisation.
“The trip also sought to explore sustainable solutions for the public transport system, as well as the broader re-industrialisation issues to attract investment, the establishment of industries and creation of job opportunities for Bulawayo’s unemployed youths and drive the province’s contribution to the National Development Strategy NDS1, towards Zimbabwe Vision 2030,” reads the report.
Some of the challenges identified by the delegation in Bulawayo include water shortages, solid waste management due to aging plant and equipment and low recycling of waste while the climate-induced drought was also taking a toll on communities in Bulawayo and surrounding areas.
“Beda and AFtrade DMCC as private sector players signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The delegation identified several opportunities that included the establishment of a Milk Processing Plant in Bulawayo or revival of the existing defunct Dairiboard Plant.
“They also sort technology, skills and knowledge sharing through exchange programmes, ramping up agriculture, medical exchange programmes, Stem students to study in Belarus, cultural exchange programmes and political ideology and patriotism education for youths,” reads the report.
To kick start the engagement process, there now will be the signing ceremony of a MoU between the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and the Ministry of Industry Government of Belarus, AFtrade DMCC and Beda in line with the recommendations made by the Attorney-General.
Bongani Ndlovu