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Business Correspondent
BULAWAYO Mayor Mr Martin Moyo has expressed gratitude to the new government for showing urgency in efforts to revive industry in Bulawayo.
He said local industry was in the doldrums but commended the Government for showing enthusiasm to revive it.
“I am happy that Bulawayo at last is getting attention from the Government. We have so many visits from Government ministers touring our industries in order to get a feel of the idleness and emptiness and lack of activity in our industry,” said Mr Moyo last week while addressing local journalists.
He said he was confident that this time around the city’s economy would turn around especially following President Mugabe’s declaration that the Government was going to prioritise the revival of Bulawayo industry.
“I am very optimistic that something good is going to happen to the Bulawayo industry and even President Mugabe said they would like to revive Bulawayo and turn around its fortune,” said the mayor.
“The streets of Bulawayo are almost empty due to lack of traffic going around doing business. We would like to see the resuscitation of our industry and we are going to plead with our authorities to do so,” said Mr Moyo.
The city of Bulawayo used to be the industrial hub of the country but is now a former shadow of itself.
About 20 000 workers have been left jobless over the past years following the shutting down of over 100 firms, mostly in the manufacturing, textile and clothing sectors.
Major challenges faced by industries included shortage of working capital, high utility bills and excessive imports that were eroding local production.
Online Reporter