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Simon Khaya Moyo

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE government is targeting foreign direct investment as a key strategy in implementing outstanding projects in order to realise development against limited fiscal space.

Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister, Simon Khaya Moyo said this strategy would help generate infrastructural development, water, agriculture and nutrition and social service projects within communities.

He said his ministry was working towards creating an enabling environment for foreign direct investment to flourish.

“In the past potential investors have come into the country and they have spent two to three months moving from one building to the other trying to identify potential investment areas and which projects to invest in.

“The one stop investment shop that we are working on will create an enabling environment where potential investors can go through all formalities within a day compared to the delays which have been going on,” he said.

Minister Khaya Moyo who was speaking in an interview at the official opening of Tokwana Clinic in Bulilima on Friday said regional economists that had been appointed by the Public Service Commission would now liaise with foreign investors to participate in the nation’s development.

He said the economists who had expertise in foreign investment would work closely with an external subcommittee on investment which was a resource mobilisation body.

Minister Khaya Moyo said the economists together with the subcommittee would identify how best to attract foreign investment.

He urged government departments in various districts to complement efforts by the ministry.

“We will work on an elaborate programme to identify specific countries to visit and which groups to meet so that when investors pitch up they will know which projects to engage in.

“It will be easy for them to identify because the investment handbook that we are working on will have all the potential investment areas listed down. At the same time investors will benefit from their investment as we do not want to cheat them as we will maintain transparency,” he said.

Minister Khaya Moyo said crucial investment opportunities had in the past gone to waste as the country did not have a proper investment strategy.

“At the same time we have to realise as communities that we have to do things for ourselves by mobilising resources. People in rural communities need a good road network, they need water, electricity and a lot of social services such as schools and clinics and dams have to built in the country.

“What is key in fulfilling these projects is that various sectors and all stakeholders contribute. All people have to understand the need for development and that no section of the State can operate in isolation,” he said.

The private sector, he added had to participate in facilitating development and not leave the responsibility to the government.

He said the nation could not rely only on taxes as people were already being heavily taxed.