Mayor optimistic of turnaround

Shepias Dube Business Reporter
BULAWAYO Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo is optimistic that the city can tick again provided there are concerted efforts from politicians and the business community to ensure that funds are availed to bail out some of the companies especially those that have persevered during trying times.
Speaking in an interview during a tour of some companies by a delegation from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya, Clr Moyo said there should be a cheap fund for city companies as most of them could not afford high interest loans since they are already struggling.

“Industry in this part of the country was grossly affected by the economic trauma of the last decade and what is needed is capital injection to acquire efficient equipment that will make it possible to produce cheaply,” he said.

The city already has commendable infrastructure, which itself must be a major attraction to new investors, he said.
“Bulawayo has a strategic rail system and an excellent road network that links the city with neighbouring countries.

We also have an excellent water reticulation system and we are probably the only big city in Zimbabwe which has never denied industry water,” said Clr Moyo.

However, the mayor hinted that the fight for the economic revival of Bulawayo could not be separated from the national efforts because there is inter-dependence of industry in Zimbabwe.

He challenged Government to come up with a national plan where economic targets are set according to regions.
“We need to assign each other tasks according to resources endowed in our respective regions. In Bulawayo the priority should be the revival of heavy industry, in Harare food industry, timber for Mutare and the Midlands cities of Kwekwe and Gweru should focus on improving the mining sector.

“The revival of industries in other cities is key to the rehabilitation of the industry in Bulawayo because we need raw materials from all over Zimbabwe,” he said.

President Mugabe has since singled out the restoration of Bulawayo as the country’s industrial hub as one of the top priorities of Government.

The city has been identified as one of the areas that will be declared a Special Economic Zone, once the programme is rolled out.

Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko has also taken a leading role in championing the revival of the city.