ZAS’s US$20 million mall taking shape

The Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) says construction of its US$20 million shopping mall will be fully operational by October this year while a food outlet at the complex will be operational in August.

ZAS is constructing the shopping mall at an area adjacent to the Exhibition Park along Samora Machel in Harare as part of the society’s long-term master plan to modernise and diversify its facilities.

The Exhibition Park houses one of the country’s prime exhibitions and annual event, the Zimbabwe Agriculture Show.

According to ZAS, the project is in line with the masterplan of the showground, which aims to provide a layout that will guide all future growth and development.

Speaking by telephone last week, ZAS chief executive officer, Dr Andrew Matibiri, said construction of the project is underway with the foundation of the mall having been completed while the superstructure has started taking shape.

“By October the shopping mall should be operational and one of the outlets to be housed in the mall, a food outlet will be operational by the time the Zimbabwe Agriculture Show begins in August.

“So far, we are happy by the progress the developer has exhibited in constructing the project,” he said.

The project is one of the capital projects being undertaken in Harare as the private sector was taking heed of the Government’s call to modernise infrastructure.

Construction of the shopping mall started after last year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Agriculture Show.

In a separate interview, an economic commentator Wendy Mpofu, said when complete the shopping mall will bring a number of economic benefits that include revenue generation for ZAS during and after the show days as the public is expected to frequent the spot.

“The complex being constructed is also expected to generate revenue for ZAS through various means not only during the show days but even after the exhibition.

“We expect to see the complex also housing tenants that offer different services and by doing so, this will broaden the society’s revenue streams.

“The establishment will also go a long way in promoting socio-economic development as tenants will be offering different services to the public,” she said.-ebusinessweekly