Business Reporter—

GOVERNMENT has earmarked the Norton and Mazowe areas for agriculture Special Economic Zones as part of efforts to attract foreign capital and to increase production.

SEZs are designated geographical regions which operate under special economic regulations that are different from other areas in the same country. They offer special conditions and incentives to promote international competitiveness.

According to Treasury, 50 hectares of land in Norton have been identified for development of an agricultural SEZ by a Chinese firm, the China Industrial International Group Zimbabwe.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa however said the success of the SEZ was anchored on availability of infrastructure.

Deliberations with the CIIG showed the Chinese firm’s commitment to partner Zimbabwe in increasing production through the provision of relevant infrastructure such as roads and water reticulation system.

“Preliminary land has been identified in Norton, we are looking at not less than 50 hectares which CIIG is going to pioneer in this country. I believe with technology development should be done in a matter of weeks,” said Minister Chinamasa speaking to Zimbabwean and Chinese journalists on the sidelines of a CIIG tour by cabinet ministers.

“The major factor affecting SEZ is infrastructure and I am making an appeal to CIIG, that they commit themselves into developing, putting infrastructure, water, roads, factories together to attract Chinese investors into that zone,” he said.

An additional 100 hectares of land in Mazowe has also been identified for another agriculture SEZ.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere indicated negotiations were still underway but anticipated the project to

commence soon.

They (CIIG) have expressed interest for land for an agriculture processing zone, we are looking at the Mazowe area.

Contrary to Export Processing Zones that were narrowed towards exports only, the SEZs are broader with focus in manufacturing of goods, value addition and beneficiation.

Studies show that SEZs have been catalysts of economic growth in developed nations like China, which Zimbabwe could take a cue from.

Other success stories of SEZs have been registered in Malaysia, Mauritius, Zambia, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya.

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