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Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
The Zambian government is committed in strengthening ties with Zimbabwe especially at Kanyemba Border Post in Mbire district and Luangwa district. Luangwa district mayor Mr Austin Bota said the completion of a pontoon landing bay will boost economic activities between the two districts.

Speaking at a two-day investment conference held in Kanyemba last week, Mr Bota urged the Government to expedite construction of Mahuhwe-Kanyemba road which will become the shortest route into Central Africa.

“Completion of the pontoon landing bay will link Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. We now await the landing permit and for the Zimbabwe Government to improve and open the transit route between Luangwa and Mbire. This will boost economic activities in both districts. Any development happening in one district affects the other. Lusaka province and Mashonaland Central we are twins,” said Mr Bota.

“Luangwa will have an economic and tourism expo during the second quarter of next year which will attract short, medium and long-term projects. This will affect business in Mbire and Luangwa.

“We appeal to the Zimbabwean Government to release resources so that Kanyemba is developed quickly.

“We managed to develop Luangwa by allowing investors to come in. Coming up with tollgates also helps us to raise money to develop our area. Our central government helped us by tarring the road to Luangwa and created a base station for mobile phone, radio, television and Internet connectivity.”

Mbire Rural District council chief executive Mr Claudius Majaya said the objectives of the conference included promoting bilateral and multilateral trade between Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia.

“The conference is to market the Mbire district and Kanyemba in particular as a tourist destination, to share experiences and create opportunities for partnerships,” said Mr Majaya.

“Mbire with a population of 82 380 is endowed with various sacred places chief among them Tuuyu Tusere (the eight Baobab trees) where one of the remains of one of the greatest names in the history of Zimbabwe Munhumutapa is buried, Chitako Changonya, Tsokoto, Mushumbi Pools, Muuyu waMashanda, Munhumutapa Ruins, petrified stones and slave holding bay.

“The district is not very far from the only area in Zimbabwe where you can find dinosaur spoors.

“The temperature in Mbire coupled with the type of vegetation all over the district is popularly known as the sweet veld because it provides a conducive environment for livestock production.”

The investment conference ran under the theme, “Unlocking investment potential for sustainable development of marginalised areas”.