The Sunday Mail
Debra Matabvu
Cabinet has assembled a committee to work with the Chinese Government in implementing economic projects worth US$6 billion in Zimbabwe through the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation. The committee comprises officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet and the ministries of Macro Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Finance and Economic Development and Foreign Affairs.
It will pore over proposals and oil project co-ordination, with its first assignment on agriculture and housing getting US$4 billion and US$2 billion, respectively.
Macro Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Dr Obert Mpofu told The Sunday Mail the arrangement will accelerate project implementation.
He said Government was also finalising Special Economic Zones to help attract foreign direct investment.
“The committee will handle the Chinese deals to smooth the engagement process. In the past, coordination was fragmented, making engagement long,” he said.
Dr Mpofu, who was in China recently to discuss the deals, said the funding and subsequent development from the two projects would spur economic turnaround and create employment.
China, he said, had agreed to open its markets to farm produce from Zimbabwe.
An official in the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ministry told this publication that local authorities have compiled housing proposals.
“Government is embarking on a massive housing project and, obviously, there is need for the requisite infrastructure to be in place. The proposals include support infrastructure such as sewer reticulation and water purification equipment,” the official said.
Dr Mpofu said, “In terms of foreign direct investment, we are not doing so well and pinning our hopes on Special Economic Zones as they have potential to lure investors.
“A lot of countries are willing to invest in these areas. A Russian team is set to visit Zimbabwe in November, while Japan and China are also interested. Harare and Bulawayo are among the places that will get SEZ status, hence, State ministers from the two cities will soon leave for China to identify companies that can work in those areas.
“We are also taking a leaf from our Ethopian counterparts who have established a robust leather industry. The plan is to set up a similar industry in Bulawayo, and a number of countries have already expressed interest in that initiative.”
In 2015, Zimbabwe and China signed several economic co-operation deals during President Xi Jinping’s State visit to Harare. Among the targeted sectors were agriculture, energy, infrastructure, housing and transport.
The Chinese leader then unveiled a US$60 billion chest for Africa’s development initiatives at the Focac in South Africa.
