“Although Bulawayo firms are awarded tenders it takes a longer period to be given payment for the work they have done on tenders,” said Mr Khumalo.
He said there was urgent need for Government to decentralise the State Procurement Board and restructure it in a manner that firms in Bulawayo could also benefit, since most firms were relocating to Harare to have closer access to tenders.
The chief executive officer of Megafest Business Holdings, Mr Tawanda Matsika, said there should be fair and uniform distribution of the country’s economic resources through the decentralisation of the State Procurement Board.
“The move to decentralise the tender board has been long overdue, there should be fair distribution of the country’s economic cake without discrimination and tribalism.
“The State Procurement Board should have a permanent seat for a Bulawayo representative of honest character and representing the interests of all regions in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Matsika.
He said companies from Harare relocated to the city for three to four months after winning tenders only to relocate back to the capital with their manufacturing plants and machinery, leaving residents unemployed.
“The tender board should put in place parameters that ensure that fully fledged and bona fide Bulawayo firms are awarded tenders in Bulawayo, so as to benefit local residents,” he said.



