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Tawanda Musarurwa Senior Business Reporter
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said Government is mulling introducing dry ports within the country to make Zimbabwe a regional transit hub and also reduce costs of essential raw material imports.
He said this last week while announcing the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review, as he outlined measures aimed at stimulating the manufacturing sector through making locally-produced goods competitive.
Industry competitiveness has been undermined by ageing and in some case obsolete equipment, resulting in frequent production interruptions and high maintenance costs.
“Government is also considering establishment of dry ports within Zimbabwe borders,” said Prof Ncube.
“These ports maximise Zimbabwe’s potential as a transit regional economy and also facilitate efficient and cost effective supply of essential imports into the economy.”
The first Zimbabwe dry port was recently commissioned in Walvis Bay, Namibia, by President Mnangagwa and is expected to be an alternative and shorter route for transportation of goods to and from the respective countries.
The dry port is expected to go a long way towards the realisation of economic development and integration of countries as it will serve Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and possibly the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Online Reporter