Staff Reporter
CHINA, through its private sector, has expressed interest in rehabilitating the 262km Harare-Mutare highway.
Chinese ambassador, Xin Chunkang, said private sector investors from his country were presently conducting feasibility studies on the project which will be part of China's planned contribution to improve the region's trade routes.
This will include reconstruction of the 250km Mutare-Beira Road linking Zimbabwe to the Indian Ocean port of Beira.
Chunkang said although the projects were still on the drawing board, revamping of the two roads would be in line with China's full support of the African Union's new thrust of boosting intra-African trade.
"Given the complex and grim picture of the world economy, strengthening economic integration at the regional level will help build up Africa's capacity to resist external risks," said Chungkang, quoting the chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Jia Qinglin.
Since 2003, Chinese investment in Africa's sectors of mining, finance, manufacturing, construction, tourism, agriculture, forestry, animal farming and fishery, among others, has surged from US$490 million to US$14,7 billion last year.
Over the years, China's interests in Zimbabwe have grown considerably and last year the Chinese Development Bank expressed interest in investing US$10 billion in the country.
China already has many private companies operating in Zimbabwe including Anjin Investments (Pvt) Limited which has so far invested some US$310 million in Marange at the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
Show/Hide commentswritten by You See, February 06, 2012
In the hope that the construction would start from Plumtree going back inland? I think the Chinese have awaken to the reality of devolution of power to provinces. This road construction , i bet this has much to do with the mining of Diamonds in the Manica province,marange district.Ploughing back to the community, so they say. Further, I opine that the Chinese have seen m*re sense in Zimbabwe reviving the Beira route as interface with the world. Its much m*re nearer than either Welvis bay or Duban, therefore cheaper. Do you remember the white colonialists -those that we kicked from the farms and industries. well, their first industrial hub was Umtali, courtessy of the beira corridor, before relocating to BYO, then Salisburry. In summary? The Zim Gvt must be making moves to industrialise Mutare, now that Diamonds are forever there. Common sense, and in fact, no jealousy meant, I think this region is under -developed a lot. No university for staters compared to all other provinces. Lets give them a chance to at least hev a road and travell to Mozambique. Rumour has it, Sam*ra Machel has always considered Manicaland part of Mozambique. Imagine what would have happened to all those diamonds if Mozambique had annexed Manicaland-marange included. Would Mpofu have bought a quarter of his fortune? Would he have thrown that maverick birthday party bash of ten thousand? One road please. Its just one road , againstrillion diamonds. begrudge not, covert not.
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