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FOR years, so much negative news has come out of Bulawayo as it bore the brunt of the economic meltdown, that many now think nothing good ever comes out of this great city.Admittedly, the once thriving city is now a pale shadow of its former self. At fora to discuss challenges facing the city, the cry is the same: arrest the decline of the city; revive the city’s industries.

Most have given up hope that Bulawayo will ever regain its status as the country’s economic hub when it acted as a magnet for people from all over the country and the region who came to look for employment which was plentiful then.

It seems despite the gloom, there is still hope for Bulawayo. The government has not forgotten the plight of the city.

In yesterday’s Chronicle, we carried two stories which have a profound impact on Bulawayo and the future of the city.

The first story quoted President Mugabe reiterating government’s commitment to the revival of Bulawayo.

Lighting the torch for the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games to be held in Bulawayo in December, the President said taking the games to Bulawayo was part of efforts to revive the city.

The President revealed that he insisted on the games being awarded to Bulawayo after spirited attempts by some senior officials to have them in Bambazonke.

Some might ask how games held over 10 days can revive a dying city. Plenty we say.

A lot of infrastructural development is going to take place ahead of the games such as rehabilitation of stadia and roads to bring them up to standard. As we write, the major stadia in the city have been closed to facilitate renovations so that the city hosts successful games.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars are going to be poured into these projects.

These renovations are going to create jobs for locals. It is also a known fact that investment in infrastructure results in economic growth.

The city’s hospitality industry is also set to reap huge economic benefits from the games. Most of the city’s hotels are likely to be fully booked during the games while the retail sector is set to reap rich rewards as the Local Organising Committee, athletes and other visitors buy their provisions locally.

The Local Organising Committee needs to come up with a strategy to ensure that small businesses in the city also benefit directly from these games. Upcoming entrepreneurs and the informal sector should be allowed to set up vending bays and food stalls outside stadia where they can sell their wares to members of the public.

In the Business section of the same paper, another story mentioned that Bulawayo companies would benefit from credit lines and technical support from China negotiated when President Mugabe led a high powered delegation to the Asian giant about two weeks ago.

The deals for Bulawayo would involve recapitalisation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe and ensuring NewZim Steel (formerly Zisco) has enough products to supply industry in the city. These two institutions were the backbone of industry in Bulawayo and it is no coincidence that when they started experiencing problems, local companies also suffered.

These developments show that government has not forsaken the city. Many blame the government for not doing enough to stem the decline of the city.

With the Region Five Games in the bag, what remains is for government to ensure that other initiatives meant to revive Bulawayo, particularly industry, are implemented.

The projects mentioned by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu and his Industry and Commerce counterpart Cde Mike Bimha at a breakfast meeting organised by Chronicle must come to fruition and we believe if they do, Bulawayo will once again be an industrial giant.