We’ll improve ease of doing business: VP Mujuru

Innocent Ruwende in Victoria Falls
Government is determined to accelerate national economic growth and wealth creation and will ensure investors achieve decent returns from their investments, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said.
Officially opening the 9th edition of Routes Africa here yesterday, Vice President Mujuru said Government adopted the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) which focuses on four key areas: food security and nutrition; social services and poverty alleviation; infrastructure and utilities and value addition and beneficiation.

“The underline thrust of Zim-Asset is Zimbabwe’s commitment to improve the ease of doing business in the country.
“We are determined and confident that we will succeed. I take this opportunity to invite players in the aviation industry to be part of this success story by taking an economic decision of flying into Zimbabwe as soon as possible,” she said.

She said Routes Africa, which ends on Wednesday, presented Africa with the opportunity to re-affirm its presence on the global arena and also a chance to invite potential partners in the aviation sector and other sectors to be part of Africa’s turnaround.

VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe, as a part of Africa, was obliged to the economic growth of the continent and would participate in the activities of African states.

“Hosting of Routes Africa was to accord you, the decision-makers in the civil aviation and tourism sectors, an opportunity to experience our country product.

“In this regard, I urge you to move around this unique tourism resort and make your judgements based on facts.
“The tourism industry has tremendous potential to contribute to economic growth in Zimbabwe, as indeed in fellow African States. The sector, however, faces some challenges, notably the perceived country risk and poor connectivity.

“It is noted that between 1999 and 2003, negative international publicity and macro-economic challenges saw Zimbabwe experience a dramatic traffic decline of 50 percent. As a result most foreign airlines stopped flying into the country,” she said.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu said the world had become a global village owing to rapid technological developments, and improvements in communication.

“Goods and services can now be bought across continents real-time, but the physical product and people still need to be moved from one place to the other.

“This is where aviation sector comes in to bridge the distance, as it remains the fastest commercial mode of transport for goods and services. Connectivity has therefore become a necessary condition, not only for tourism development, but also for development of trade between nations,” he said.

Minister Mpofu said the completion of the Victoria Falls Airport Project will lead to an upsurge in tourism in the region.
Africans Airlines Association secretary-general and chief executive Dr Elijah Chingosho said high costs in the aviation industry in Africa was prohibiting more airlines to fly in Africa. “In Africa it is very expensive, for example, passenger costs are 80 percent in Africa while in Europe and other country its below 20 percent.

“Fuel is 25 to 30 percent elsewhere but in Africa it is between 50 to 55 percent.
“Governments in Africa seem to think air transport is for the elite,” he said.

Routes Africa director Katie Bland said the forum had attracted over 350 aviation delegates, 44 countries, 40 airlines, 50 airports and more than 30 tourism authorities. It provides a platform for the aviation and tourism industry decision-makers and players to meet and discuss opportunities on route development and destination showcasing and marketing.