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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
A CHINESE business delegation from the International Cooperation Centre of National Development and Reform Commission (ICCNDRC) was in the country to scout for infrastructure development projects within the country’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

The delegation, working in collaboration with the Alliance of Belt and Road Business Schools (ABRBS) was in the country since Monday last week and was particularly interested in projects such rail, road and power plants and will be working with the Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority (ZIMSEZA).

The visit by the ICCNDRC comes after the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa led a Zimbabwean delegation to the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China, in April.

After touring all SEZ facilities, the delegation will settle for one SEZ that will receive investment for specific infrastructure development projects on either joint ventures or Build Operate Transfer (BOT).

The project is expected to eventually cascade to other SEZs.

Government has designated Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Victoria Falls and most recently Selous under the SEZs and pilot projects under the model are at different stages of implementation.

The delegation kick-started its week-long mission in Mutare before proceeding to Bulawayo and then Beitbridge.

In Mutare, it toured the site of the multimillion-dollar Gemmology Centre in Fern Hill and various other potential investment projects.

In a presentation made on his behalf by ZIMSEZA technical head Mr Wilfred Motsi, head of the Chinese delegation Dr Feiyi Gao, said the delegation was seeking to facilitate investment in potential areas under SEZs as well as cooperation with businesses.

“We seek to identify potential solutions for industry development, deeply understand all the characteristics of the industrial parks, especially the infrastructure construction, power supply, and water supply capacity through regular visits and continuing information exchange,” said Mr Feiyi.

He said the cooperation would consider projects with dedicated power supply, particularly coal-based, to ensure uninterrupted production by local miners and manufacturers.

Mr Feiyi said the cooperation was also seeking to establish a Sino-Zimbabwe commerce chamber which will have an undertaking with Zimbabwean industries in terms of exchanging information on how they operate and how they can collaborate with Chinese industries and build trust between them.

They want to attract international manufactures in the country, promote import substitution and introduce new technologies in industry.

The Gemmology Centre will be subdivided into four sections, namely the school of gemmology, which will offer training courses across the value chain; diamond manufacturing and lapidary, which will house cutting and polishing companies; Jewellery Blacksmith and Manufacturing for blacksmith and manufacturers as well as ancillary services that will house all supporting businesses.

The project is located less than 100km  from Chiadzwa diamond fields, less than 10km from the border with Mozambique and about 300km from the port of Beira.

Representing the Minister of State for Manicaland Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, provincial development chairman Mr Edgars Seenza said the province held numerous opportunities for investment.

“We want to emphasise that Manicaland is ready and open for business and investments,” he said.

“Manicaland offers numerous investment opportunities ranging from horticulture, tourism, transport and energy. With the establishment of this Gemmology Centre, there are a lot of quick wins for us.”

Mutare Mayor Councillor Blessing Tandi said the investment into the Gemmology Centre would bring quick wins for the city under the devolution programme.