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Conrad Mwanawashe Business Reporter
GOVERNMENT is engaging potential developers of a multi-billion-dollar project which will link Zimbabwe to a port north of Beira in Mozambique in a bid to significantly reduce distance and cost of moving goods between the two countries. Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu told The Herald Business in an interview that Government is currently studying detailed proposals submitted by the potential developers and is “seriously engaging potential promoters of the project”.

“We’ve identified a number of serious potential developers for the project.

“Plans are being worked on and as soon as funding and identification of the promoters is done, the project will take off ground,” he said.

The potential promoters have since submitted detailed proposals and studies for Government’s consideration. The reports detail such issues as funding of the project, timelines and other related services.

Minister Mpofu said from the studies, Government will decide whether to go the Built Operate and Transfer, partnership or the Public Private Partnership route.

“We are seriously engaging potential international developers for the project. We are also studying the detailed reports that we have received. The studies will determine the exact port and direct us to the exact position,” said Minister Mpofu.

Government is undertaking several initiatives to reduce the cost of doing business in the country as it seeks to improve the ease of doing business. The project is aimed at reducing the distances that business has been facing when moving goods inland from Beira, Mozambique or Durban in South Africa.

The distance from Harare to Durban is about 1 675km which translates to a 20 hours drive while travel between Harare and Maputo takes about 16 hours for a distance of about 1 300km. Consumers are forced to bear the brunt of the huge transport costs over long distances as companies pass on the costs to the end user.

The new project is in line with Government’s efforts to create user friendly border posts that are less costly to business.

Minister Mpofu said the project if completed will help speed up movement of goods.

“It will also cement Zimbabwe’s status as the transport hub in the region. The plans are at an advanced stage and this will speed up movement of goods to and from the sea.

“It will also make movement of goods cheaper. It will make Zimbabwe the transit hub for economies to our north and for movement of goods to the sea,” said Minister Mpofu.