Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi-Zimpapers Politics Hub
MASHONALAND Central is set for a multi-million-dollar economic transformation after Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube announced the establishment of three Special Economic Zones this year, targeting energy, agro-processing and mineral beneficiation to lift the province’s contribution to national GDP.
Cabinet recently approved the Integrated Provincial SEZs Framework as a strategic instrument to accelerate industrialisation, investment promotion, beneficiation, export growth and employment creation in line with Vision 2030.
The three SEZs for Mashonaland Central are the Muzarabani-Mbire Energy Petrochemical Industrial SEZ; Mazowe-Mvurwi Agro-Industrial and Tobacco Value Chain SEZ; and the Bindura and Shamva Mineral Beneficiation SEZ.
These SEZs will be established under the integrated provincial framework.
Prof Ncube announced this at the two-day Mashonaland Central Provincial Investment Dialogue that ended in Mazowe on Friday.
He said the province contributes 6,5 percent to national GDP, equivalent to approximately US$3,4 billion.
“According to Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) data, agriculture, forestry and fisheries account for 24,5 percent of provincial GDP, making it the single largest economic contributor. Mining contributes 10,1 percent, while manufacturing adds 10,2 percent, driven by agro-processing, tobacco processing and value addition.”
The Minister said the Muzarabani-Mbire Energy Petrochemical Industrial SEZ is aligned with the resource endowment of that area, particularly the recent oil and gas discoveries by Invictus Energy.
“In the production-sharing agreement that Government signed with Invictus, there is already a clause that they should apply for SEZ status immediately. So we are very serious about this,” he said.
On the Mazowe-Mvurwi Agro-Industrial and Tobacco Value Chain SEZ, Prof Ncube said the focus will be on tobacco processing, food manufacturing, export logistics and agricultural machinery development. “Thirty percent of national tobacco comes from this area. This is a significant region nationally,” he said.
He added the Bindura-Shamva Mineral Beneficiation and Manufacturing SEZ will tap into the mineral resources such as gold and nickel that are abundant in that region.
“We look forward to the day when we inaugurate all these three SEZs on the ground and invite His Excellency to come over and launch them. We will do this province by province until we cover all provinces,” said Prof Ncube.
He said while these zones are Government-led, the private sector is free to initiate its own SEZs and will be granted that status. Government is now moving into the implementation phase, operationalising provincial industrial ecosystems aligned to strategic sectors.
At the conference, Prof Ncube also launched the Mashonaland Central Compendium of Bankable Projects, which comprises 84 ventures that are open for business.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency, Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo, said the agency is shifting its focus “from policy to projects” to drive rural industrialisation. He highlighted the need for structuring bankable investments in Mashonaland Central Province.
Cabinet Ministers Kazembe Kazembe (Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage), Monica Mavhunga (Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs) and Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Christopher Magomo, attended the event.
Also present were Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Eng Tafadzwa Muguti, and Deputy Chief Secretary in the OPC, Dr Willard Manungo.
The National Economic Consultative Forum and the OPC organised the event, which will be held annually.
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