Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu-Senior Reporter
POLICIES aimed at improving the ease of doing business, particularly in infrastructure development, will continue to be strengthened to attract investment, President Mnangagwa has said.
The move, he said, will stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for Zimbabweans.
In a speech read on his behalf by National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Professor Paul Mavima at the Oxford Properties (OxProp) groundbreaking ceremony at Borrowdale Park in Harare yesterday, the President said improving the ease of doing business and enhancing competitiveness across all sectors of the economy, especially infrastructure development, were critical to socio-economic transformation.
The Borrowdale Park project, which sits on 100 hectares of land, is expected to comprise 700 residential units and will integrate housing, education, healthcare, commercial, sports and recreational facilities within a single mixed-use community.
President Mnangagwa said the Government would continue to engage the private sector, which remains a key partner in the national development agenda.
“Government is ensuring stronger synergies with stakeholders, anchored on responsiveness and dialogue,” he said.
“The private sector is a vital partner in the current national development agenda. Under the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra, we reinforce the ease-of-doing business environment to enable mutually beneficial investment.
“These policies have resulted in unparalleled levels of foreign direct investment and local investment into all sectors of our economy.”
Ongoing infrastructure projects and public services standards, the President said, were improving basic social amenities as well as helping to lift more communities out of poverty into a higher quality of life.
While the Government continues to review licensing and payment fees in the construction sector, local authorities and relevant departments were directed by President Mnangagwa to overhaul building by-laws and regulations enacted during the colonial era.
“We thus continue to review licensing and payment fees for the construction industry. These reforms will remove bottlenecks, bureaucratic red tape and reduce costs in the built environment sector,” he said.
“I challenge the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities and responsible agencies to speedily overhaul the model building bylaws of 1977.
“The environment where such pieces of legislation were crafted no longer exists. Laws and regulations should reflect the current opportunities and realities.”
President Mnangagwa said urban and rural local authorities should respond to changing preferences among residents while taking into account climate change and evolving technology.
“Furthermore, urban and rural local authorities should swiftly respond to the changing preferences of the modern clientele.
“Their flexibility in the adoption of design aspects and building models that address contemporary trends and concerns is of critical importance.
“These include matters related to climate change, quality service delivery, eco-friendly green spaces, technological needs, as well as facilities that enhance health and well-being,” he said.
President Mnangagwa urged the City of Harare to take a cue from OxProp by improving service delivery, expanding social amenities and planning ahead for the needs of a growing metropolitan population.
The private sector was also to partner with the Government through public-private partnership models to accelerate the modernisation of road infrastructure and create employment opportunities, particularly for women and youths.
“With regards to the Borrowdale Park development and others in the surrounding area, I challenge Oxford Properties and their counterpart developers to deliberately plan for the establishment of working spaces and markets.
“These must cater for youth and women entrepreneurs who will provide auxiliary services to your residents. The overall employment and empowerment needs of our people should not be overlooked,” said the President.
He challenged financial institutions and funding partners to develop innovative and affordable housing finance and mortgage products to expand home ownership.
President Mnangagwa added that the country should leverage its shareholding in Shelter Afrique Development Bank to access long-term housing finance and boost the national housing stock.
He commended OxProp for undertaking the project, saying such housing models not only allow for better management of rapid urban growth, congestion and pollution, but also promote employment creation.
As the country moves towards Vision 2030, the development of modern, well-planned and sustainable human settlements with world-class social amenities would remain a national priority, said President Mnangagwa.
