Declare Bulawayo an economic zone

RECENT sentiments by cabinet ministers and President Mugabe concerning the bid by government to re-industrialise the city of Bulawayo foreshadow the desire of the Zanu PF administration to employ a pro-poor approach to development in concerted efforts to turn around the country's sick economy.

On Tuesday this week Infrastructure and Development minister Obert Mpofu and his Industry and Commerce minister Mike Bimha raised hope of the revival of Bulawayo – once the country's industrial hub by hinting that on government's plans to declare Bulawayo one of the country's economic zones.

The cabinet minister revealed this during a breakfast indaba organised by the Chronicle to give ministers an opportunity to brief the Bulawayo business community about the "success" of Zim-Sino deals brokered by Mugabe during his recent State visits.

In his remarks during the torch lighting ceremony for the Zone V African youth games to be hosted by the country in December, yesterday Mugabe declared boldly that 'Bulawayo will never die' and that the city should leverage on the sports games to revive its economy arguing the city was among the most cities affected by illegal sanctions.

The revival of Bulawayo industry is long and overdue and we pray that government will expedite its programmes to revive the country's economy. These includes the refurbishment of the National Railways of Zimbabwe which minister Mpofu admittedly said was the 'life-blood' of the city's industry as well as the country's economy which is currently in its knees. We also appeal to the ministry of Industry and commerce, to swiftly conclude pending deals with foreign investors so that Bulawayo business can be revived and offer employment opportunities to thousands of unemployed citizens on the streets. Funding which according to the Industry and Commerce minister would be sourced from China must not be a pie in the sky like the failed Distressed and Marginalised Industries Fund (DIMaF).

We sincerely hope these jobs and other opportunities such as jobs proffered by the December youth games will benefit the Bulawayo community and its environs. Minister on Tuesday revealed that tenders for Bulawayo were often awarded to Harare companies because 'Bulawayo business persons did not bother to apply for the tenders'. We implore the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa to monitor this process including the awarding of tenders to ascertain that Bulawayo people rightly benefit from this event.

The awarding of tenderness and engagement of workers for different jobs emanating from the sports games must be apolitical and done according to the founding values of the country's constitution. We sincerely hope that the Zim-Sino agreements as well as the looming sports gala will indeed revive the city of kings and queens and restore it to its yester-year glamour. To this end we implore government to declare Bulawayo an economic zone and prioritise the city for its programmes aimed at breathing life to the country's comatose economy.