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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Rutenga is benefiting from the impending establishment of a dry port in the urban settlement with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority having applied for 12 hectares of land to build a holding bay as investors jostle to set up shop at the sprawling growth point.

ZIMRA headlines a host of both local and foreign firms that are eyeing to exploit economic opportunities to be created after the setting up of the dry port at Rutenga.

Government is pushing for the opening of a dry port at Rutenga as part of efforts to improve the ease of doing business to attract more investment and grow the economy in line with Vision 2030.

Mwenezi Rural District Council has completed the crafting of a local development plan demarcating land at the growth point that will house commercial and industrial businesses.

The development comes as unnamed Indian investors have already approached the local authority seeking land to set up a marula processing plant.

Mwenezi RDC chief executive Mr Albert Chivanga last week said the local development plan was already in place with the local authority already bracing for increased influx of investment at Rutenga.

“We crafted a local development plan where we designated land for both commercial and industrial purposes as we brace for the setting up of the dry port and ZIMRA has already taken the lead by applying for land to build a holding bay for goods awaiting clearance after paying duty,” he said.

“We are really excited by the level of interest in Rutenga by investors and we have Indian investors who are already on the ground working on a marula processing plant which must be completed in no time. There are other investors who have also shown interest in building a big abattoir that will be processing high grade beef for exports.”

He said the local development plan also indicated land reserved for shopping malls that are expected to be built at Rutenga as the dry port takes shape.

“We are working flat out on the ground because of huge interest that Rutenga is attracting from investors and we are happy that ZINWA has also been upgrading the water supply system to make sure there is adequate water for the dry port,” he said.

Mr Chivanga said Rutenga was guaranteed of sufficient water supply even if its population of 6 000 quadruples.

Rutenga draws its water from Manyuchi Dam, which is one of the biggest water bodies in Masvingo province.

Government has also been working to aid the impending opening of the dry port by upgrading the Rutenga-Zvishavane road, which is being tarred with works having already covered close to 15km.