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Manicaland Correspondents
The new political dispensation in Zimbabwe has created positive tidings for Manicaland Province, as significant headway has been made in engaging Mozambique and South African partners.

Speaking at a briefing with stakeholders at the Provincial Administrator’s Office recently, a legal representative of COEGA Development Corporation, a South African-based company, Advocate Jack Matiza, said there was inherent potential in Manicaland. The company said it was interested in upgrading infrastructure in the province.

“A world class special economic zone in Manicaland is waiting to be unlocked as the country’s gateway to the sea as forecast by the turn of the year 2018,” said Adv Matiza. “Manicaland harbours a lot of economic potential waiting to be unlocked. We intend to build a world class special economic zone in Manicaland as it is the country’s gateway to the sea.”

Mutare, he said, was the closest city to Beira seaport and instead of having people travelling thousands of kilometres to Durban, an opportunity had been presented to investors to use a nearest port of entry and exit.

“The logic behind developing Manicaland is that people are travelling to Durban, which is 3 000 kilometres away and Manicaland is closer to the port,” said Adv Matiza.

The proposal by Adv Matiza comes after Minister of State for Manicaland Provincials Affairs Mrs Monica Mutsvangwa’s visit to Mozambique, where she met Manica Province Governor Cde Alberto Ricardo Mondlane recently.

The two ministers deliberated on possible areas of economic cooperation between the two countries as had been delegated to them by their Heads of States following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Mozambique last month. Cde Mondlane said the visit by the Zimbabwean delegation was the beginning of better things and opportunities to come.

“Your coming here constitutes an act of compliance to the directive given by our respective Presidents to explore areas of possible economic cooperation,” he said.

Due to its proximity to Beira port in Mozambique, Mutare has attracted regional economic interest.