Addressing businesspeople in Bulawayo last Friday during the launch of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2013 countdown, Kumwenda said attractive exports would revive Bulawayo companies.
“We should fight for Bulawayo to be an Export Processing Zone. It is my belief that if you are around a city that has zero tax environments and that makes exports extremely attractive and reduces labour costs, this will create value adding activities”.
“Make exports that come from Bulawayo as attractive as possible and that will start bringing foreign currency to the city to revive our industries,” said Kumwenda.
Bulawayo used to be the hub of industrial activity in the country but in recent years big companies have closed down or relocated to other cities.
This has seen more than 20 000 people losing their jobs. Last year Finance Minister Tendai Biti launched the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund to revive Bulawayo.
Under Dimaf the government, in partnership with Old Mutual through Cabs, committed itself to providing $40 million for the revival of industries.
ZITF General Manager Daniel Chigaru said the 2013 exhibition show was going to be more attractive than before as foreign companies would be there.
Post published in: Business