The Sunday Mail
Kuda Bwititi
Chief Reporter
Significant progress has been made in major infrastructure projects being implemented by Chinese investors with prospects of unlocking additional resources from the world’s second-largest economy, it has been learnt.
Last week, Zimbabwe and China took stock of the milestones that, thus far, have been achieved at a trilateral meeting involving Chinese investors.
Speaking after the meeting, China’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Zhao Baogang, said there had been remarkable progress on ongoing projects.
“As you can see for yourself, all the deals such as Hwange Power Station expansion, Robert Gabriel Mugabe (Airport expansion), the new Parliament building are at different stages of implementation.”
Mr Baobang said there was scope for the country to unlock additional resources from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) currently being implemented by Beijing to develop and strengthen its traditional trade routes.
“In the coming years, China will invest US$750 billion in foreign countries. It will import US$24 trillion worth of goods from foreign countries under BRI, which is a huge and great initiative.
“You have to keep your eyes open as Zimbabwe and try to see what benefits can be brought to the country,” said Mr Zhao.
Chinese investors, however, said Government should consider tweaking some regulations to facilitate the ease with which projects are implemented.
Hwange Expansion
The $1,2 billion expansion of Hwange Power Station, which is expected to add 600 MW to the national grid through two new units (Unit 7 and 8), is expected to reach peak construction this year.
Under the project, Sinohydro has partnered the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for a joint venture that is being financed by the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank)
Sinohydro is a subsidiary of China Power Construction, which is considered the largest power construction in the world.
ZPC said in a statement, last week, that the project is on schedule.
“The project is at 22 percent to completion and on schedule. Units 7 and 8 to be commissioned in October 2021 and January 2022, respectively.” But, the transition from the multi-currency system to a mono-currency has meant ZPC has had to make its contribution to the project in hard currency.
New Parliament Building
Similarly, China Aid Zimbabwe, which is overseeing construction of the new Parliament building, said the project is ahead of schedule.
“We are recording progress daily as we build a world class new Parliament building, which is also the first project in Zimbabwe’s proposed new capital. It is our pleasure to announce that we have begun partitioning the first and second floor of the six-storey building. Third floor will start soon,” China Aid Zimbabwe said last week.
The building, which is being built in Mt Hampden through a US$100 million grant, will have a 1000-seater banquet room, a 350-seater House of Assembly chamber and a 350-seater Senate chamber.
RGM Airport expansion
Contractors that are sprucing up Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, China Jiangsu International, say the expansion project is now at an advanced stage.
Rehabilitation of the runway is expected to be completed by year-end.
Work is presently underway on the arrival and departure sections.
However, the company believes the mono-currency system, as well as duty imposed on support materials, is posing significant challenges.
The central bank has since made a commitment to work with China Jiangsu to expeditiously resolve the matter.
Immigration concerns
Last week, Chinese officials said investors were raising concerns on the stringent requirements placed on Chinese migrant workers, most of whose applications are being reportedly turned down purportedly for not having the requisite qualifications.
“We have to improve the ease of doing business because Ethiopia, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya and others that are attracting huge investments from China, do not have this law for double authentication (for migrant workers),” said Mr Zhao.
