Investment indaba on luring more investors

AS the province aims to increase its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) an Investment
Conference was held last week in Kadoma to attract more investment, which will help
the province grow.

From the latest 2022 figures presented by ZIMSTAT on provincial GDPs, Mashonaland
West had a GDP of ZW$ 27.1 billion at constant contributing 12.3 percent to the
national GDP at an annual growth rate of 4.2 percent.

The Mashonaland West Investment Conference was held under the theme, “Unlocking
and unpacking opportunities towards the achievement of vision 2030 in Mashonaland
West through domestic and foreign arrangements.”

Addressing participants at the Indaba, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and
Devolution, Marian Chombo urged everyone to focus on joining hands to unlock the
investment in the province.

“There is need for us all to work as a team and develop robust strategies that will
unlock investment in the province as well as joining hands with the nation towards the
attainment of the goals of vision 2030. We therefore call for investments across all
sectors to achieve the inclusive development we aspire,” said Chombo.

The conference was to showcase what the province has, which can boost economic
growth, investment opportunities and financing aspect that if fully exploited will bring
positive results.

“We are gathered here to discuss investment, focusing on opportunities that flourish
within the province, investment enablers as well as the financing aspect. This
conference provides a platform to showcase its potential that if fully exploited will enable
the accomplishment of the desired economic growth and development plan. The
broader aim is to increase the provincial GDP,” she said.

The Minister said the province is looking forward to competitive advantages in order to
realise higher income for the people and at the same time encouraging business
linkages.

“Local authorities, businesses, ministries, departmental agencies, this is your
opportunity to engage and make investment arrangements as we actively participate

and network. The province aims at increasing agriculture output of cereals, horticulture
and other cash crops through extensive development and resuscitation of irrigation
infrastructure, maximizing mining and development of the vast mineral resources,
increasing local value addition and beneficiation, promoting tourist investment and
development of robust road network, communication, health and human capital
development as key enablers,” she said.

Local authorities were advised not to drive away potentials but to be ready for the
investment and serious business as a way to make it easier for investors and partners
who want to work together with them because when engaged they are not clear on what
they have or are expecting.