Taurai Mangudhla Senior Property Reporter —
OPPORTUNITIES proffered by various infrastructure projects currently being pursued by the Government are expected to take centre stage when Zimbabwe’s construction industry converges this week in Masvingo for the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (Cifoz) annual general meeting and congress.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Jorum Gumbo and his Local Government, Public Works And National Housing Counterpart Savior Kasukuwere will make key addresses at the event, which runs between August 24 and 26.

Minister Gumbo is expected to present an update on the multimillion dollar Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme as well as dualisation of Zimbabwean roads with particular focus on the billion dollar Beitbridge-Harare highway.

The highway dualisation project is seen as a major boost to local industry given that 40 percent of the contracts have been reserved for locals. Minister Kasukuwere will give the keynote address at the event with focus on housing projects as Government moves to close the national housing gap through various initiatives including partnering banks.

Cifoz CEO Martin Chingaira said the sector remains resilient despite funding challenges.

“Government is the biggest source of contracts for contractors because its projects, unlike those of private players, go to public tender. Government has been facing funding challenges, but we will not let the industry go to the dogs. We are making things work and when the environment improves we will be there working,”Mr Chingaira said.

The congress will run under the theme “Construction in a Global Built Environment; Leveraging on More Than a Century of Excellence.

“The congress will be graced by professional and experienced local and international speakers which will give delegates time to learn on how businesses have survived in a period when governments have no funding for capital projects.

Case studies will be highlighted to give the challenges faced and how they were mitigated giving way forward solutions,” Mr Chingaira said.

Presentations of opportunities in Zambia and Namibia will also be made by national council for construction in Zambia Mathew Ngulube and the Namibian ambassador while officials from Masvingo Minister of State’s Office will present construction business opportunities in the province.

The Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) will also present priory projects that have been identified for implementation.

 

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