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Herald Reporters
Environmentally sustainable and viable development of the top swathe of Matableland North, home to some of the poorest communities in Zimbabwe, took a major step forward yesterday when Cabinet approved the Conceptual Development Framework for the Victoria Falls-Binga Special Economic Zone.
This zone will see development centred on tourism, particularly ecotourism, along with irrigated agriculture and mining and allow all communities in the area to rise to the levels of development seen in too few bright spots, such as the Falls themselves.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet approved the framework following a presentation by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo.
“The following 10 nodes, most of them being tourist resorts, were identified within the Special Economic Zone namely: Victoria Falls Municipality Area; Jafuta (Masuwe) State land; Batoka Town; Mlibizi Resort; Binga Centre; Sijarira Resort; Binga hinterland; Gwayi-Shangani Dam Resort; Hwange Town; and the Hwange Aerodrome Centre.
“Overall, the agreed approach includes the integration of the natural environment, current ecotourism activities and requirements relating to the World Heritage Status while enhancing and diversifying the tourism products on offer and integrating tourism with other hinterland economies like mining and irrigation,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
She said activities earmarked for the selected areas include development of integrated resorts, a research, innovation and educational park, medical and recreational parks, power generation and aquaculture.
The development of the SEZ will be spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Development Agency and would be done in phases.
“This project involves the development of at least three beaches in Binga with the longest being seven kilometres,” she said.
“There will be a world class golf course, recreational theme parks, upmarket houses, state-of-the-art civic centres and redevelopment of the residential area in Victoria Falls.
“A new airport will be built in Binga.
“Because of big projects being carried out in Hwange such as three power generation plants and five coal mines, four coking mines and one colliery, Hwange town will be expanded with new settlements built to accommodate the workforce and its families.”
All these projects are part of Vision 2030, of attaining an Upper Middle Income society that benefits all Zimbabwean communities and people.
The adoption of the framework for the Victoria Falls-Binga SEZ follows the recent launch by President Mnangagwa of the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy aimed at reviving the sector that has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government has already provided $500 million to help the sector remain afloat until the tourists can return.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet was updated on the use of devolution funds by local authorities last year when $703 million was disbursed.
These disbursements were made taking into account the demographic, infrastructure and poverty levels in each area.
“Cabinet highlights that despite the late release of resources several projects were put on stream in the various local authority jurisdictions.
“The projects are at various stages of completion in key areas such as education, health, roads rehabilitation, water and sanitation, and electricity,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Cabinet also noted the need to improve the value of the national cattle herd, with a plan to grow the livestock sector to a US$1,9 billion economy by 2025.
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