‘Exploit Beitbridge Town’s investment opportunities’

AFFIRMATIVE Action Group deputy president Mr Passion Java has challenged youthful entrepreneurs in the country to fully embrace business development opportunities that come with the on-going Beitbridge border transformation project.

The Government is upgrading the border in partnership with Zimborders Consortium at a cost of us$300 million and already more than 1 000 people mostly women and youths have been engaged.

On the other hand, Zimborders Consortium is outsourcing 40 percent of its raw material from local companies.

In an interview during a tour of the border modernization civil works on Tuesday, Mr Java said there were a lot of investment opportunities in Beitbridge Town awaiting exploitation.

“We have seen the massive transformation works around the Beitbridge town and the border,” he said.
“So, our plea as the AAG working with the Presidential Support Organisation Support Trust and the Young Women for Economic Development, we are encouraging the youth to be actively involved in these projects.

“We want them to get organized and get tenders to do a number of jobs including supplying raw material, construction, and logistics among others.”

Mr Java also commended the Beitbridge Municipality for creating an enabling environment for investment in line with the town’s transformation into a medium city.

He said land prices were fair, hence youthful businesses should take up opportunities in
property development.

The town has investment opportunities in infrastructure development, beef and related products, manufacturing, livestock production, retail, warehousing, packaging, accommodation, transport, and logistics among others.

Already the local municipality has since availed 248 hectares of land to house projects under the Special Economic Zone concept, which includes heavy and light industries.

Beitbridge town clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola said recently they engaged the Zimbabwe Investment Development Authority (ZIDA) to create a special purpose vehicle to promote investment in one of the country’s fastest-growing towns.

“We are still engaging with investors but the movement is slow and our intention is to engage with ZIDA to get the ball rolling,” he said.
   
“You will note that there has been a beat of some quietness and we haven’t met with ZIDA since its formation. So, we need to meet and get things moving.

“The other issues that have slowed progress is the feasibility study, which is outstanding and the special purpose vehicle between us and them (ZIDA), which should be finalized.”

The local authority recently resolved to among other things expeditiously process business proposals from investors to reduce red tape that frustrates economic growth.

A representative for the Young Women for Economic Development, Miss Catherine Kawaza said the improvement of operations at the border will contribute to the growth of most of their businesses which are cross-border related.

“We are happy that the border is getting a facelift and the local businesses are already getting business as the number of travellers through our town is gradually increasing,” she said.-The Chronicle