Gono speaks on $10bn potential

Published: 13 July 2017

The Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones are capable of attracting over $10 billion worth of investments into the country, once the current efforts to mobilise participation in every one of the 10 provinces of the country takes off.

The pledge was made by newly elected Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones (SEZ) board chairman Dr Gideon Gono when the board was set up by Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Dr Obert Mpofu.

Dr Gono went on to reassert the pledge during the board's third sitting in Harare this Thursday.

On the inception of the SEZ board just over two weeks ago three Special Economic Zones have been identified in Sunway City Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo.

The board says it is in the process of identifying more areas to establish Special Economic Zones using the criteria spelt out in the act to create a bigger cake for the nation and provide jobs.

In an interview with the ZBC News after the third meeting of the SEZ board in Harare today, Dr Gono said the entity believes every province has got something to contribute towards the project which is aimed at producing quick wins for the national economy.

This revelation comes in the wake of several inquiries from different parts of Zimbabwe, including Chipinge, whether their areas can be included in the SEZ.

Dr Gono explained that the criteria for inclusion in the SEZ include availability and access to water, quality waste management systems and proximity to an airport among other criteria.

The SEZ board is also working on the setting up of the secretariat with the requisite capability to ensure that the vision of the nation is realised.

He said Zimbabwe has the required expertise and professionals who can deliver this vision.

Relating to indigenous participation, Dr Gono said only those partners who can add value to an investment will be enrolled while briefcase businessmen who use intimidatory tactics have no place in the special zones.

Special Economic Zones are areas in which business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country.

They are located within a country's national borders with the aim of increasing trade, increasing investment, job creation and effective administration.
- zbc

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