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VP Mnangagwa shakes hands with Chemplex general manager Spencer Ruziwa during a tour of Sunway City Integrated Park in Harare yesterday

Lovemore Mataire Harare Bureau
VICE President Emmerson Mnangagwa is scheduled to travel to Europe tomorrow on a trade and investment promotion trip meant to lure investors long affected by the West’s economic sanctions regime.

Speaking soon after touring the Sunway City Integrated Park near Ruwa, Vice President Mnangagwa said his intended visit to Europe was part of the government’s drive to attract investors.

“I’m also going to Europe on Friday to attract huge companies to come and invest…I’ll be able to speak with vigour (after touring the Sunway City Integrated Park) and clarity and attract major companies to come to Zimbabwe,” said Cde Mnangagwa.

The Vice President commended efforts by Sunway City (Pvt) Ltd in developing a world class integrated industrial, commercial, residential and recreational park that provides relevant infrastructural development and economic growth.

He said he visited some industrial parks in China during his visit last week where he was informed by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Mike Bimha of a similar park in Zimbabwe.

“Let me say — we saw many companies and addressed 86 global companies in China that are willing to come here,” Cde Mnangagwa said.

The VP said he had agreed with Bimha on the need to hold an International Investment Conference in October where huge global companies are scheduled to attend and explore investment opportunities in the country.

He said all the companies have worldwide markets and had expressed interest in making Zimbabwe their centre and conduit for exploring continental opportunities.

Cde Mnangagwa said the government would fast-track the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Bill.

The bill will provide for the establishment of the SEZ board, designation, promotion and operational modalities, including the implementation of incentives for the operators and businesses located within the zones in a move to boost business confidence and increase foreign direc t investment.

Acting general manager for Sunway City (Pvt) Ltd, Fungisayi Mupazvirihwo appealed for the granting of Special Economic Zone status to attract investment partners to enable the company to develop and service the land.

Vice-President Mnangagwa toured the Chemplex Industrial Complex and the residential area near the Pretoria Portland Cement. He was accompanied by Cde Bimha: Ministers Chris Mutsvangwa —Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and former Political Detainees and Restrictees, Kembo Mohadi — State Security, Nyasha Chikwinya —Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Walter Chidhakwa — Mines and Mining Development, Supa Mandiwanzira — Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr David Parirenyatwa — Health and Child Care and Prosecutor General Johannes Tomana.

Sunway City (Pvt) Ltd was established by the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe Limited (IDCZ) in partnership with Sunway of Malaysia in 1996. Its mandate is to develop its 1 559 hectare land bank into a world class integrated industrial, commercial, residential, institutional and recreational park.