Zimbabwe invites public private partnerships to upgrade infrastructure

As Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe, concluded her five-day investment and trade initiative to Zimbabwe, she appealed to both South African and Zimbabwean businesspeople to work together in order assist in creating employment opportunities in both countries.
She said that South Africa was positioned as a manufacturing centre of excellence, with a diversified base of industrial sectors.
The Vice President of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Sheila Sidambe, said there were many opportunities for investment in Matebeleland in general and Bulawayo in particular for South African businesspeople.
These include the manufacturing sector, which she said was currently operating at reduced capacity. “The Government estimates US$1 billion is required to revive industry in the country’s second largest city, Bulawayo. This figure tells us that Matabeleland presents several investment opportunities for foreign investors,” said Sidambe.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority, Richard Mbaiwa, commented: “After about a decade of economic decline there has been a serious deterioration in the state of infrastructure in Zimbabwe. Government recognises the need for private sector participation in financing and development infrastructure. It also acknowledges the important role of the private sector in financing infrastructure development. The private sector is therefore welcome to participate in the development and provision of infrastructure on a public private partnership (PPP) basis.”