‘Our arms are open for investors’
BUSINESS REPORTER
President Emmerson Mnangagwa said yesterday Zimbabwe’s arms are open to welcome investors as he signalled government’s intention to create a favourable investment climate.
Commissioning Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe’s US$2.8m dry mortar mix plant, Mnangagwa said his administration would create an enabling environment for business to operate.
“This event is testimony that Zimbabwe is open for business and dialogue. Our arms remain outstretched to welcome investors from across the world,” he said.
Mnangagwa said government would continue implementing the ease and cost of doing business reforms and improving the overall investment climate.
“The fact that the plant is the largest in Southern Africa and the first LafargeHolcim Dry Plant of this magnitude in Africa must translate to increased product outputs such as tile adhesives, floor solutions, plasters and water proofing solutions, among others not just for the local market for exports as well,” he said.
The DMX plant will increase the company’s manufacturing capacity of dry mortar to 100,000 tonnes per annum from 7,000 tonnes.
Mnangagwa said the government was reviewing economic competitiveness, cost drivers in various value chains across sectors of the economy.
Zimbabwe is on a drive to lure investors to help reboot the economy. It has created the One Stop Investment under the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency meant to cut red tape which had become the hunting for corrupt bureaucrats who would want investors to pay a bribe to oil the wheels.
