Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) has called on Matabeleland South to leverage on projects within the province to attract more investments.
This comes amid revelations that the province had the least number of projects by investors, while only three new licences were issued by Zida valued at US$9,95 million, in the third quarter of the year.
In a presentation recently at the Matabeleland South Investment Forum, Zida Investment Promotion manager, Mr Tapindwa Chipunza said there was a need for the province to package their projects in ways that attract investors.
“In terms of investment licences issued and projected investment by province for the third quarter of 2023, Harare continues to be on top and Matabeleland South is at the bottom, but do not feel discouraged.
“There is still hope and space that is why Zida is here to work with the province and authorities to ensure that we drive your projects into the market. You are sitting at three licences this particular quarter at the tune of US$9,95 million,” he said.
“So when we look at Matabeleland South as Zida we have seen there are competitive and comparative advantages which are where we think the province needs to leverage on and package certain projects around those.”
He said the province could tap into jewellery manufacturing and lithium processing riding on the mining sector, citrus production and logistics of dry ports due to its accessibility to the South African and Botswana borders among other sectors.
Mr Chipunza said beef production and its value chain was another sector key for investment.
“So, we need to grow the value chain and leverage on its opportunities that are there. Other key sectors are tourism, solar generation, leather value chain and dairy production,” he added.
“Currently as a province, we have licensed 29 investors, 19 of which are in the mining sector and 10 spread across the construction, manufacturing, energy and services industry. So I think the biggest question now is should the province then identify certain people who want to work with them, what is the role of Zida?”
He said the agency was responsible for appraising and recommending public-private partnerships (PPPs) between contracting authorities and counter-parties to Cabinet.
Mr Chipunza said contracting authorities submit PPP proposals to the agency for appraisal which come as either solicited or unsolicited proposals.
“I call upon all the authorities within the region to engage Zida with opportunities that you think are of value in your jurisdictions and we work together to ensure that we can package them and take them to the international markets.”
He said in line with the accelerated promotion of PPPs, Zida working together with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) collaborate on technical support and strategies that enhance transparency and ease of doing business in PPPs.
Mr Chipunza said the two important developmental organisations share information in strengthening systems on procurement practices, with the ultimate purpose being to boost the ease of doing business and transparency in accordance with the law relating to public procurement.
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