By Dumisani Ndlovu
Gweru- The Midlands Province recently hosted a successful Investment Conference at the Village Lounge in Gweru, highlighting the region’s vast potential as a resource center and investment hub in Zimbabwe. The conference was spearheaded by notable speakers, Hon Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, and Hon Owen Ncube, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Midlands.
The conference, which ran under the theme “Midlands Province The Resource Center of Zimbabwe: Unlock and Explore Unlimited Investment Opportunities,” drew numerous dignitaries, including Hon. July Moyo, Hon. Paul Mavima, Hon. Felix Mhona, Hon. Anxious Masuka, and Hon. Energy Mutodi. The event showcased various investment opportunities in the Midlands Province, focusing on sectors such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
In his keynote address, Hon. Owen Ncube, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Midlands Province, emphasized the province’s status as the nation’s heartbeat and resource center. He highlighted the region’s strategic location, natural resources, and skilled workforce, making it an attractive investment destination. “We have branded the Midlands Province as the pinnacle, heartbeat, and resource center of the nation. Its central location, bolstered by the modernized Beitbridge Border Post, provides logistical advantages, with the recently completed Shurugwi Mhandamabwe road connecting the interior of Southern Africa to international markets through South African ports,” he said.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon Mthuli Ncube, launched the Midlands Investment Compendium, a visionary document providing a comprehensive framework for leveraging partnerships to drive national growth and development. “The launch of the Midlands Investment compendium will be a new vehicle to provide a clear guideline to create new potential and investment in the region,” he said.
The conference featured presentations from various stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and investors. Topics discussed included investment opportunities, economic growth, and infrastructure development. Government officials assured investors of a favorable business environment, with incentives and support for investment projects. The event also provided a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among stakeholders. Delegates had the opportunity to engage with government officials, business leaders, and investors, exploring ways to unlock the region’s potential.
The Midlands Province is rich in natural resources, with big mining companies, including Dinson Iron and Steel, Chengetai Cheng Xi Investments, JINAN, Jin Yi, Mimosa, Unki, and Murowa Diamonds, among several others, operating in the region. The province supplies nationally 100 percent of civil explosives, 42 percent of national PGMs, and 30 percent towards gold production.
The conference resonates with the Second Republic’s development trajectory under the transformational leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and current SADC Chairman, Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, who has been tirelessly engaging investors from all over the globe, profiling the country’s investment opportunities.
In conclusion, the Midlands Province Investment Conference was a resounding success, showcasing the region’s vast potential as a resource center and investment hub in Zimbabwe. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to engage, network, and explore investment opportunities, with government officials assuring investors of a favorable business environment. The launch of the Midlands Investment Compendium will provide a clear guideline for investment in the region, driving national growth and development.
Finance Minister, Hon. Mthuli Ncube informs residents and stakeholders of the region’s potential as a resource center and investment hub
