By Maxwell Mapungwana
MARONDERA — Murewa Rural District Council (RDC) has launched an aggressive investment drive anchored on tax incentives and strategic development projects as it seeks to unlock the district’s economic potential and contribute towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
The council has established a Local Economic Development Committee tasked with identifying investment opportunities, promoting local economic development and creating employment opportunities for communities across the district.
Speaking on the district’s investment opportunities in an interview with New Ziana on the sidelines of the Mashonaland East Agriculture Show, Murehwa Rural District Council accountant, Rosmas Muvisa, said Murewa had adopted an investment policy that offers tax holidays to investors willing to establish projects in key sectors.
“We have set up what we call the Local Economic Development Committee of Murewa RDC. Its mandate is to identify developments and opportunities in Murewa to improve our economy towards attaining our Vision 2030,” he said.
Under the investment policy, Muvisa said, investors in value addition, education and health are eligible for tax holidays as the council seeks to attract both local and foreign capital.
The education sector has already attracted significant investment, with the development of First Choice School in the Macheke area cited as one of the major recent projects, he said.
The council is also promoting tourism and hospitality opportunities, particularly around Kunzvi Dam, an area shared by Murewa and Goromonzi districts.
According to Muvisa, a master plan has been developed for the area, which is expected to include a hotel, residential and commercial developments.
The council also intends to utilise the dam in the area for aquaculture, including fish production, creating opportunities for investors in fisheries and related value-addition activities.
“We have also come up with our master plan for Kunzvi Dam. We plan to have a hotel there and develop the surrounding areas for residential and commercial purposes.
We also want to utilise the dam for aquaculture, where we can produce fish, and we are looking for investors to come and invest in that area,” he said.
Murewa is also marketing its ecological parks as potential sites for lodges, wildlife-related activities and other tourism facilities, with the projects expected to generate employment and stimulate local economies.
In the housing sector, the council is planning residential and commercial developments around Macheke under Phase Two of the area’s development programme.
Similar developments are planned for Mapako in Murewa, where the council intends to establish high- and medium-density residential areas alongside commercial facilities.
Agriculture remains central to the district’s economic development strategy, with Murewa boasting more than 5 000 farmers involved in various agricultural activities, including tobacco production.
The council is seeking the establishment of a tobacco auction floor in Macheke to reduce the distance farmers currently travel to access markets in Harare.
The move is expected to lower transportation costs and improve market access for farmers in the district.
Murewa is also promoting apiculture, with investors being sought to support the development of the beekeeping industry in Macheke.
The council says it is also responding to challenges faced by farmers in finding markets for their produce by promoting value addition and encouraging private-sector investment.
“We have discovered through our engagements with residents and communities that our farmers need markets for their products. We are therefore looking for investors in value addition companies who can process products such as tomatoes into tomato sauce and other products,” he said.
The district was also using agricultural exhibitions and promotional platforms to market locally produced goods, including fruits, flowers and other agricultural products.
The council is working with non-governmental organisations and private players to strengthen farmers’ access to markets, finance and other services.
The investment drive is in line with the national thrust of promoting agriculture as a key pillar of economic development, while encouraging value addition, tourism, housing, education, healthcare and other sectors to contribute to inclusive growth.
Murewa RDC said it remained open to partnerships with investors, development organisations and private-sector players seeking opportunities in the district.
