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Innocent Ruwende, Harare Bureau
THE third Local Government Investment Conference (LOGIC) 2018 starts today at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo with Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo expected to lead a delegation of ministers who will address foreign and local investors.

The investment conference is being organised by the Urban Councils’ Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) and is running under the theme “Local Authorities: Ready for Investment”.

The investment conference is being held at a time when the Government has embraced the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra and local authorities are readying themselves to accommodate the anticipated influx of investors into the country.

President Mnangagwa has also called on local authorities to put political differences aside and work collectively for the good of residents. UCAZ secretary general Mr Livison Mutekede said apart from the ministers there will be international speakers, potential investors and exhibitors.

“It is my fervent hope that our local authorities will see more investment in their areas and that at the end of the conference local authorities will have something tangible to take back through the synergies and networks that will have been established,” he said. “We expect our local authorities to strike investment deals or at least create rapport with potential both local and international investors. LOGIC 2018 comes at a time when the new Government of the Second Republic has opened up Zimbabwe for business.”

UCAZ established LOGIC in 2016 to attract investment in councils and improve their revenue collection, enhance service delivery and the quality of life of urban citizens.

The conference will start with a ministers’ roundtable discussion whose focus will be on government policies in support of investment in local authorities.

Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Jorum Gumbo, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Minister Cde Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu are expected to be part of the roundtable.