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Participants follow proceedings during the Zimbabwe National Parks seminar on Wildlife Breeding and Rearing at their stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair yesterday

Prince Sunduzani, Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) says a number of untapped investment opportunities exist in the parks and wildlife sub-sector, which local and foreign businesses can explore.

Speaking during the Zimparks trade and business opportunities seminar held at Zimbabwe international Trade Fair exhibition centre in Bulawayo yesterday, Zimparks marketing manager, Mr Aaron Chimombe, said the wildlife and parks sector was ripe for investment in tourism, leather manufacturing and animal husbandry.

He said Zimparks offers a lot of opportunities to investors to explore based on their resources. Zimbabwe has vast wildlife and game resources and has some of the largest game reserves on the continent, which have been a major contributor to the country’s tourism earnings.

“We encourage investors to come and invest in the wildlife business. The major opportunities are dependent on the resource that you have. If you have land, you can do wildlife breeding, you can rear different wildlife species. If you have a vehicle you can come and invest in game drives and safaris. If its leather you are interested in, you can also go into that,” said Mr Chimombe.

“In tourism you can do game keeping, transfers, game and game activities. Manufacturing sector opportunities include leather production, ornaments, artefacts, ivory and trophy retailing. Animal husbandry opportunities include game, crocodile, ostrich and fish farming.”

Speaking at the same event Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief operating officer, Mr Givemore Chidzidzi, urged prospective tourism players to acquire proper documentation and licensing to avoid inconveniences.

He said this will also help operators to benefit from Government tourism promotion facilities, which come with incentives.

“Operators and those intending to operate in the tourism sector should make sure that they register with ZTA. You will be able to benefit from the expertise that the authority has which is meant to assist you and guide you,” said Mr Chidzidzi.

“Most of the national parks fall under tourism development zones and there are so many tax incentives that are there which include among others duty-free when importing items. When you are registered you can be able to apply for the tourism development zones.”

Government recently announced a $15 million tourism facility, which can be accessed by registered operators.

@PrinceNkosy102