President Mnangagwa pledges support to business

Harare (New Ziana) – Government will continue to strive to provide a conducive operating environment for businesses and investors, including requisite support from both ministries and local authorities, for
economic growth and modernisaation of cities and towns, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Monday.

He said this in a keynote address at the ground-breaking ceremony for Block Four Millennium Heights Housing Development Project, being undertaken by WestProp Holdings in Borrowdale West.

President Mnangagwa had earlier drilled a ceremonial hole at the site to mark commencement of work.

He said the housing development is in line with the Government’s mandate to provide sustainable, modern and affordable human settlements, and the project would undoubtedly add to the real estate stock and value of Harare Metropolitan Province.

He applauded WestProp Holdings for its contribution to the National Vision 2030 and said apartments the company had built earlier were refreshing and futuristic.

“It is also commendable that the construction of the one thousand apartments, here at Millennium Heights by WestProp Holdings is in conformity with the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy on densification, along with the requisite social amenities,” he said.

“It is pleasing that private sector players in the construction industry and housing development sector, such as WestProp Holdings, have taken advantage of the conducive business operating environment being fostered
by the Second Republic,” President Mnangagwa said.

He challenged other real estate developers to take lessons from WestProp, and embark on more densified housing construction projects countrywide.

Local authorities, the President said, must also complement such developments by appropriately planning for the growth in population density due to developments of this nature.

“Hence, we must plan for the long term to avoid knee jerk reactions as a result of the increased demand for services as a consequence of such good initiatives. The water, sewer and transport networks as well as
other ancillary services must complement these developments while appropriate infrastructure synergies must be created to guarantee seamless growth which does not clog existing neighbourhoods,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said a vibrant construction sector is the mark of a growing and thriving economy due to its multiplier effect and said the Government will continue to facilitate the participation of private sector players in the provision of decent housing and workspaces.

He urged housing and property developers to equally pursue an inclusive approach that covers all strata of the society and not to neglect those of limited means and capabilities as no one and no place must be left
behind.

He added that the target set by WestProp Holdings to reach “a billion bricks by 2050” is a huge statement of intent by the company.

“Riding on ICT enabled solutions and approaches, it is my expectation that the private sector and Government Agencies also take advantage of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, advanced materials, 3D printing and biotechnologies, among other aspects to promote efficiencies and modernise all our sectors, including the housing development and construction industries. These are pertinent, particularly in the development of sustainable smart cities,” he said.

WestProp Holding chief executive officer, Ken Sharp said the value of the project – which was over USD 100 million – was also Zimbabwe’s largest luxury real estate.

He said 50 percent of the apartments in the block that is being built have already been purchased.

He commended President Mnangagwa for creating an enabling environment from which to work in and said the block that is being constructed will be named ED block.
New Ziana