RDCs urged to review rates to attract investment

RURAL District Councils (RDCs) have been urged to adopt investment-friendly rates to unlock industrialisation and economic empowerment, amid concerns that high charges are discouraging potential investors.

Speaking during the Industrialisation and Economic Empowerment Indaba held on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Transvaal Africa (Private) Limited chief executive officer Engineer Patson Moyo said excessive fees by local authorities were stifling investment in rural areas.

“Our councils, I’m sure they are here present, most of them, we have been talking and having conversations with them. They also need to be very much involved in putting up blueprints that attract investments. We, for instance, wanted to buy grazing land but we were charged over US$6 000,” he said.

He said there was a need for councils to adopt rates that attract rather than deter investors, adding that alignment across the value chain — from resource identification to pricing structures — was critical for industrial growth.

Eng Moyo said rationalised charges would stimulate investment inflows, leading to increased industrial activity and production in rural districts.

“We have 60 district councils, 32 urban councils, and we are expecting to grow 92 centres if we work together, only if all those issues such as charges are mitigated. For those application centres, we have value addition. On the other side, which is the industrial part of it, we have places where the bankers can go,” he said.

He added that improving investment conditions would also enhance rural tourism potential, attracting more investors to previously underdeveloped areas.

“You can see the difference now with those traditional centres. This can attract tourists into rural areas and encourage more investment,” he said.