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She challenged businesspeople in Bulawayo and industrialists around the region to harness the opportunity brought about by the growth of industry in the neighbouring country and establish Private Public Partnerships (PPPs).
She said intra-Africa economic integration and co-operation were now receiving a significant amount of attention, hence the need for triple Ps.
“South Africa is committed to seeing Zimbabwe industry grow, especially here in Bulawayo and the areas around because of the way they are closer to us. We encourage you to engage with the exporters during the business-to-business meetings here and we urge you to take advantage of the opportunities.
“Let us work together to grow the two economies and create much job opportunities and a better life for all our people. We expect to see further growth in trade and investment between our two countries,” she said.
Deputy Minister Thabethe was leading a delegation of businesspeople and captains of industry from South Africa on an investment visit to Bulawayo.
The business seminar was organised by the ZNCC and attended by hundreds of representatives from different sectors of business ranging from trade, farming, construction and consultancy.
Local businesspeople were drawn from Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and North.
After the presentations and discussions, delegates then engaged each other in a one-on-one business-to-business session where they discussed possibilities of striking business deals.
Speaking at the same occasion, the vice-president of ZNCC Matabeleland region, Mrs Sheila Sidambe, bemoaned the state of industry in Bulawayo and Matabeleland and appealed for capital injection from investors to resuscitate it.
She said it was critical that industries considered establishing partnerships so that they tap into their counterparts’ strengths.
“Bulawayo used to be the hub of industry in Zimbabwe, but due to economic hardships that has disappeared. Now that the economy is picking up there is a chance for revival, but there is a need for capital injection and machinery to start growing again,” said Mrs Sidambe.
She commended the seminar and urged Bulawayo businesses to grab the opportunity and strike deals with their South African counterparts.
“This is a good gathering for Bulawayo, we are excited and grateful to the South African government for remembering that it could do to the city what it was doing to other cities. It is rare for Bulawayo to be remembered and we want to thank South Africa for coming to invest in Bulawayo,” she said.
Mrs Sidambe raised concern that international delegates usually visit the country, but fail to honour their pledges, to which Deputy Minister Thabethe said her government was eager to invest in Zimbabwe.
“The Deputy Minister promised that South Africa sent this delegation because it is eager and interested to invest in Matabeleland. She challenged us to take it upon ourselves to see that Triple Ps and firm agreements come out of this,” said Mrs Sidambe.
Representatives of different sectors welcomed the call by the South African government and the need for Triple Ps.
“We have been talking to different businesspeople in ranching and beef industry and there is hope for our region. All we need now is to make deals and start working together,” said the president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), Mr Donald Khumalo.
Businesswoman and farmer Mrs Irene Maphenduka said the revival of industry in the region needed capital injection and establishment of partnerships. “We do not want to be consumers but we want to manufacture goods and sell as well,” she said.
One of the South African delegates and representative of SRK Consulting Company said the people of Bulawayo had shown eagerness to partner in business.
“We are happy with the reception and zeal shown by Bulawayo businesspeople although we are yet to see business deals coming,” said the representative.
Meanwhile, Mrs Sidambe said the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf), was still shrouded in mystery.
She said the business community in Bulawayo would soon engage Cabs, the official Government agent, to get an update on progress and why applications from Bulawayo companies had not been short-listed to get the money.
Online Reporter