Chronicle Editor
Peter Matika, [email protected]
MINISTERS of State for Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces, Cde Judith Ncube and Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, are in Egypt attending the 27th Arab-Africa Investment and International Co-operation Summit where 35 countries are participating.
The platform affords stakeholders from the Arab and African region to engage in business-to-business, business-to-government and business to investor meetings to forge beneficial co-operation including investment and trade partnerships.
The Arab-African Investment and International Co-operation Summit is an annual event organised by the Arab Women Investors Union (AWIU). Minister Ncube said she hoped to secure investment for the city and help restore the province to its former glory as the industrial hub.
“Bulawayo Metropolitan Province has been the heart of the industrialisation of the country endowed with resources primed for revitalisation and expansion,” she said in her remarks at the platform.
“The province is equipped with robust infrastructure including abundant factory warehouses and commercial space.”
Minister Ncube also told delegates at the event that Bulawayo has identified solar power as a viable, cost effective alternative and sustainable energy to power industries.
“With abundant sunlight throughout the year, we are in a prime position to harness solar energy to power our factories, warehouses and commercial spaces,” she said.
“This, therefore, mitigates the risk posed by power disruptions and also aligns perfectly with our ambition to transform Bulawayo into a Smart City by 2025.”
She highlighted that Bulawayo has five key areas that are designated as Special Economic Zones (SEZ), which deliberately seek to incentivise fresh investments into the economy.
Minister Ncube said the agriculture sector is crucial to Zimbabwe’s economy and offers diverse opportunities on livestock production, cash crops, mechanisation, and horticulture.
“Bulawayo stands out for its strong beef industry, with many abattoirs and meat processors, making it an excellent area for women and youths to engage in leather and meat processing,” she said.
“Additionally, the agro-processing sector provides investment potential through nurseries supplying seedlings, agro supply stores for tools and fertilisers, and facilities for drying, canning, and packaging.”
Dr Ndlovu on the other hand said Matabeleland South was the gateway and corridor to African economies and hosts one of the busiest border posts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The province is committed to creating a conducive environment for investment, entrepreneurship, and growth. Matabeleland South has vast deposits of gold, lithium, limestone, diamonds, platinum, nickel, copper and coal hence presenting investment opportunities in mining and processing these valuable minerals,” she said.
“Lithium concentrate can be processed to create lithium batteries and Limestone production complements cement production, which is essential for infrastructure development,” Dr Ndlovu said. Dr Ndlovu also said investing in renewable energy will reduce reliance on non-renewable sources and promote sustainable development.
“Investment in bio-energy, such as biogas and biomass, can utilise agricultural and organic waste to produce electricity and manage waste effectively,” she said.
Matabeleland South has significant potential in agro-based value chains, particularly in mutton, beef, milk, and leather production with opportunities to develop manufacturing industries to produce finished leather goods, footwear, and other leather products.
Online Reporter