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Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
ZIMBABWE has infrastructure that can make its economy flourish within a short space of time, World Bank Group Africa executive director Peter Larose said on Thursday.In an interview after touring Bata Shoe Company and Zimglass in Gweru, Latose said he was going to use his role at the World Bank to see how best to assist the country’s economy.

He said there was huge infrastructure in Bulawayo and Gweru that could be used to create employment and spur economic growth.

“We saw that there are a lot of industrial activities that are dormant in Bulawayo and Gweru. There is huge infrastructure which we can use very productively to create employment and spur economic growth and in the process reduce poverty,” he said.

“Surely my responsibility is to see how best I can use my role at the World Bank Board to ascertain how best the World Bank can come up with a full package to help these companies and the Republic of Zimbabwe.”

Larose said there was a great potential for the country to borrow funds for the revival of the economy.

“Once Zimbabwe re-engages, and the international community re-engage, it will turn a lot of things around because Zimbabwe has a lot of new energy and new ideas that can make the economy flourish in a short space of time,” he said.

Larose’s delegation comprised African Development Bank executives and government officials.

In Bulawayo, his delegation toured Archer Clothing Manufacturers, NRZ, Dunlop, Cold Storage Company, Mpilo Central Hospital as well as the Bulawayo City Council water works. Zimbabwe owes the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the African Development Bank and others over $10 billion and the government is making efforts to clear the debt.