Govt fleshes out SEZ for Norton

MASHONALAND West Province is set to host one of Zimbabwe’s largest special economic zones (SEZs) with the creation of an agricultural hub in Norton through an agreement with Russian investors.

The undertaking of a SEZ for Norton was part of the agreements signed between Harare and Moscow during the recent visit by Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov.

Speaking after a recent visit to Moscow, Special Advisor to the President and Cabinet Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said the agreement would complement the enhanced Great Dyke Investments platinum project in Darwendale.

“Mr Lavrov was in the country with a special message from Russian President Mr Vladmir Putin about his excitement with President Mnangagwa’s Government,” he said.

“Among the agreements entered into, Mashonaland West Province also had an icing on the cake when an agreement was signed to build Norton as a Special Economic Zone.”

Ambassador Mutsvangwa said he had followed up on the agreement, which led to the development of a timeframe within which the project is supposed to be consummated.

“The deadline has been set for July for the SEZ Agreement to be approved by President Putin’s government and the Russians will move into Norton,” he said.

Inclement weather conditions in Russia, particularly in winter, make the country an export destination for sub-tropical produce.

“Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri (Retired) will soon visit Russia to sign the agreements,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.

Minister Shiri will sign phytosanitary agreements, leading to the opening up of horticulture, flowers, citrus, nuts and beef for the Russian market.

“Moscow is under Western sanctions and shifting its focus to political-friendly food sources, and Zimbabwe fits the bill,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Some of the industries to benefit include Triple C, Drummond Chicken and Zagrinda, as part of a global level agro-processing zone.

This, coupled with an agreement to continue the Great Dyke platinum project, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said, was set to provide jobs for more than 5 000 people from Mashonaland West province.

The Great Dyke platinum project will be the fifth-largest platinum mining operation in the world, as foreign direct investment (FDI) continues to increase following the political transition in November last year.

Ambassador Mutsvangwa said Mr Lavrov ushered in a new approach by Government, which will see diplomats signing agriculture agreements for local products at their missions.

These, he said, ensures that Zimbabwe has a market for its products on the international market.

“We did not have agricultural agreements with other countries, but we have just signed an agreement with Russia,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.