‘Package’ to lure rural investment

The Herald, 25 April 1983

GOVERNMENT is working out a package of measures, including basic infrastructural requirements and financial support, to attract investment to the rural areas, the Minister of Industry and Energy Development Simba Makoni, said in Bulawayo

Investment in the rural areas had been “fairly slow”, but this was a bad period for investment generally and also, a number of basic communications and supportive financial measures, had to be met before investors could be expected to set themselves up in rural areas, he said in an interview.

“What the Government has done so far has been mainly rehabilitative work on the infrastructure damaged during the liberation struggle, but in the course of the three-year national transitional plan, there will be a thrust towards new developments,” Cde Makoni said.

There were indications that the international economy is picking up, and possibly next year, would see at least an upturn, which could enable internal foreign currency allocations to be increased.

There had been considerable interest from industrialists in the two export incentive programmes.

The first, had been set up by the Government last year and the second had been set up by the World Bank.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ The Government of Zimbabwe has for the past two decades been on a drive to electrify every rural community.

◆ The Second Republic’s thrust on decentralisation of programmes will result in the upgrading of rural infrastructure. ◆ Innovative, place-based tools for service delivery to rural regions may provide some solutions to the trade-offs between equity and efficiency that make decisions on public investments complex and politically delicate.

◆ Rural infrastructure is of vital importance for agricultural growth, economic development, and poverty alleviation, particularly in developing countries.

◆ Community Share Ownership schemes are one of the most effective methods to engage people where benefits of developments to both individuals and commu

nities are real and tangible. ◆ Government of Zimbabwe, has been on a drive to improve road networks to all rural communities to enhance accessibility.