THE Rural and Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) has reaffirmed its Vision 2030 drive through Falcon Air’s launch, marked by its maiden Harare–Beitbridge flight to expand air connectivity and boost national investment.
As part of a broader scope to contributing to Vision 2030, RIDA intends to forge ahead with the expansion of Zimbabwe’s domestic air network, enhancing investment opportunities, and strengthen national connectivity.
Some of the key pillars of Vision 2030 are to build world-class infrastructure and improving the ease of doing business leaving no-one and no place behind.
In an interview, RIDA director general Mr Christopher Shumba whose entity will be operating regular weekly flights between the two towns, intends to roll out additional routes soon as part of a broader Government directive to support economic growth across all regions.
“The launch of the Harare–Beitbridge flight was undertaken under the instruction of the Office of the President and Cabinet to promote investment — particularly for businesspeople seeking opportunities in the fast-growing Beitbridge corridor.
“The new flight reduces travel time between the two centres to just 1 hour and 30 minutes, a significant improvement from the long and often strenuous drive along one of Zimbabwe’s busiest highways.
“And in line with Vision 2030’s aspirations for a modern, industrialised economy, we will launch more routes to ensure that remote and strategic areas such as Binga, Kanyemba and Kariba receive improved access,” he said.
Mr Shumba said the shortened travel time is expected to encourage investors and entrepreneurs to increase their presence in Beitbridge, which continues to position itself as a key commercial and logistical hub.
“We expect businesspeople to take advantage of that time frame as opposed to driving, where one also requires an alert driver since that road is a very busy highway,” he said.
When RIDA Falcon Air introduces more routes, it is hoped that this will go a long way in bolstering tourism, stimulate trade, and open new investment corridors, particularly in areas such as Kanyemba with untapped economic potential.
Economist, Ms Chipo Warikandwa welcomed RIDA Falcon Air’s launch of the Harare-Beitbridge route saying this is a major step in accelerating Zimbabwe’s march toward Vision 2030.
“This kind of connectivity is spot on when one looks at exactly what an economy requires when a country is serious about unlocking its investment potential.
“Shortening travel times between major and emerging centres improves the ease of doing business, attracts investors and supports balanced national development.
“And if consistently supported, this model can go a long way in stimulating investment across regions that have historically been difficult to access, and thus creating a knock-on effect throughout the economy,” she said.-herald
