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Minister Simon Khaya Moyo

Business Editor
THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved the appointment of regional and provincial economists under the new Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion.

The new officers will work closely with provincial ministers of state in promoting provincial and district investment programmes within approved budgets.

Economic Planning Minister Simon Khaya Moyo confirmed the development.

“The appointment of regional economic planning and investment officials will go a long way towards the resuscitation of the development structures in the provinces and districts set in by His Excellency the President R G Mugabe (then Prime Minister).

“This is in line with the directive on provincial and district administration of 1984,” he said.

“These structures will now be used to promote the implementation of Zim-Asset, investment, economic and development in Zimbabwe.”

Minister Khaya Moyo said the new officers will identify economic development projects in their regions and assist in monitoring their implementation.

He could not disclose details about the makeup of the regions and how many officers will be appointed.

Working in liaison with CSC inspectors, he said the crew would also assist domestic and international investors keen to invest in the provinces, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

They would submit regular reports on the overall economic developments of the provinces and conduct field visits to assess progress on approved investment projects.

The new officers would be expected to come up with project proposals for the provinces taking into account the provincial comparative advantages and assist in the development of Special Economic Zones.

Other terms of reference include assisting in the arrangement of provincial and district investment conferences and crafting of national development plans.

They will also work closely with local authorities and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) in coming up with incentives to bring investors to regions.