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“Before complaining we need to first of all understand the root problem for this. Let us not mix politics here, but look at the issue of economic viability,” said Cde Mavhaire, the former Governor for Masvingo Province.
“The market is there in Bulawayo and raw materials are also there. The major problem that is frustrating everything is financing.
“There is no conspiracy on this issue, as this is a nationwide problem. The money has not been forthcoming and almost all the cities in the country have experienced company closures”.
Cde Mavhaire urged businesspeople and entrepreneurs from Matabeleland region and Bulawayo in particular, to work hard and take advantage of the region’s vast natural resources to revamp the city’s economy.
“Most raw materials for industry such as coal, gas, timber, livestock and wildlife are found in Matabeleland and no one can dispute that. We need to avoid being cry babies and focus on the potential that this region has,” he said.
“We are under sanctions as a country and like other states we went through a recession. For now our people must sit down and find out how best we can revamp these companies. This game of blame shifting has to stop. Let people stand up and make things happen”.
He said companies that are relocating to Harare would not enjoy the favourable business environment they are enjoying in Bulawayo.
Said Cde Mavhaire: “It does not make any sense for instance to relocate Hunyani to Harare when all the timber for the paper industry is found in Matabeleland”.
He said the development of the city’s industry was closely linked with improved agricultural production.
“We had a serious drought in Matabeleland, but that is not new. We are in Region Five and we will never have more rains like Manicaland. Matabeleland is a livestock zone, but over the years there has been a shift on that and you find people complaining about cropping inputs.
“Our strength is livestock and people from the region should be talking about improving livestock protection, breeding and marketing. This will impact on the operations of the Cold Storage Company, which would breathe life to a whole range of downstream industries”.
Cde Mavhaire’s remarks come at a time when Bulawayo residents are seeking an explanation as to why companies that have been operating in the city for decades are closing shop and relocating to Harare.
Online Reporter