admin
Walter Nyamukondiwa in SHANGHAI, China
ZIMBABWE has clinched co-operation agreements with Chinese investors at the ongoing 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) to assist in setting up special economic zones.
Full establishment of special economic zones is seen as an effective tool in promoting economic development.
This is the second time that Zimbabwe is exhibiting at CIIE and there is a large contingent of State-owned enterprises seeking partnerships and technologies to improve service delivery.
In an interview, Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Roy Bhila said: “We are looking at having special economic zones so that they can be economic drivers in each district and each province. We have met Chinese investors who have assured us that they will be coming to Zimbabwe to make sure that our special economic zones are successful and meet the correct standards.”
The development, said Deputy Minister Bhila, was part of the benefits of exhibiting at the CIIE.
Special economic zones underpin one of the key pillars of the National Development Strategy (NDS1), which seeks to boost exports for economic development.
These zones are areas set aside for specific activities and given regulatory concessions as incentives to attract investors and increase production.
At least 15 organisations and Government departments are exhibiting at the 6th CIIE, including TelOne and NetOne, leather industry businesses and the agricultural authorities, among others.
“We are looking for investment and we have the Ministry of Agriculture, telecoms companies (NetOne and TelOne). We are also looking at investment and partnerships in tourism.
“We are happy that yesterday (Wednesday) we managed to talk about these things during a forum organised by the Chinese,” he said.
On display are stone sculptors, value added baobab fruit and game meat, among others. Deputy Minister Bhila expressed Government’s satisfaction with the level of attention that the Zimbabwe stand was getting from visitors and potential investors.
“Today, we are exhibiting more of the items that we have and we are having investors coming in. They are happy with what we are exhibiting and we are anticipating to hold another briefing to make sure that we are aligned with what they need and we also fully highlight what we can offer,” he said.
Acting Zimbabwean Ambassador to China, Mr Tamuka Muranga, said China remained a key partner in promoting development.
“We are looking at getting investment in our State-owned-enterprises in the areas of telecommunications, energy, tourism and agriculture,” said Ambassador Muranga.
At least 150 countries and over 3 400 companies are exhibiting at China’s largest import-export Expo which opens its market to the world. With a population of 1,4 billion people, 400 million of whom have middle and upper income status, the Chinese market is a vast opportunity business.
Online Reporter