VP Mnangagwa to open water conference

Business Reporter
AT least three reputable international financial institutions will be represented at the inaugural Water Resources and Infrastructure Conference to be held in Harare next week. The conference, which will be officially opened by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be held Wednesday and Thursday. It will bring together policy makers, technical experts and potential investors as the government seeks to increase private public partnerships in developing the country’s water resources and infrastructure.

Some of the investors and companies that have confirmed participation are DBSA, AfDB, the World Bank, Afrixembank, the PTA Bank, Unicef, the IDC (SA), the Agence Francaise de Development, Hatch Goba, and Vinci Construction.

The main objective of the Water Resources and Infrastructure Conference is to identify investors to develop the country’s water resources and infrastructure.

“The conference will showcase 10 major water and water related projects in Zimbabwe,” said a statement from the organisers yesterday.

“The intention is to engage with funders, investors, technical partners, to obtain funding and identify partners to implement water and water related projects in Zimbabwe.

“It will also include expert sessions and panels discussing regulations, financing, structuring and procurement of water projects. It will also focus on how Zimbabwe is working towards ensuring water sustainability for the future of Zimbabwe.”

The summit is expected to stimulate investor interest in the country’s water sector that has suffered substantial lack of investment over the past few years due to the prevailing economic challenges.

Key projects to be deliberated on during the conference will include Musami-Kunzvi for Harare water supply, National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, construction of Muda and Nyatsime-Seke dams to cater for Chitungwiza water supply and the construction of Kudu-Gokwe Irrigation Scheme.

Said the statement:

“The conference will also highlight specific infrastructure gaps, Zimbabwe’s emerging developments, and partnership opportunities and address the management of water resources as well as infrastructure developments.

Delegates can look forward to participating in interactive discussions that focus on specific water projects, the structuring of such projects and implementation including the impact of the development of the economy.”