Source: Invest in rural areas where there is enough land: Chief Dakamela –Newsday Zimbabwe
CHIEF Dakamela has urged captains of industries to invest in rural areas, arguing that there is enough land.
Dakamela made the remarks during the Matabeleland annual business awards organised by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce in Bulawayo recently.
He highlighted a deliberate exclusion of rural areas in terms of development.
“I urge corporate companies and others here to invest in rural areas where there is plenty land,” Dakamela said.
“I invite policymakers, councillors and Members of Parliament to create a conducive environment suitable for investment in rural areas to fight the scourge of rural migration, drug and substance abuse, early child marriages and unwanted pregnancies.”
He called upon all participants to work towards uplifting their areas.
Banker and businessman Tawanda Nyambirai, who is also the chief executive officer of Cybertech Bank, said land in rural areas is valuable.
“Let’s move to a system where title is given to that rural land so that its value can be accessible in the formal financial system,” he said.
“We should create systems to empower our relatives in the rural areas, who are the majority, with assets which they can leverage in mobilising capital to scale their businesses and participate more in development.”
He underscored the need to internationalise our institutions.
“There are companies that are doing well, like Dairibord, which produces products like mahewu, that should have a market elsewhere.”
Nyambirai said it would be more beneficial if such businesses were supported and get capital for them to become international companies rather than sitting and waiting for foreign investment.
Tafadzwa Mhandu, an economist based in Matabeleland North, encouraged captains of industry to seriously consider investing in rural areas.
“Many rural districts have vast land resources and significant untapped potential,” Mhandu said.
“Such investments can create employment, stimulate local economies and drive inclusive development, provided they are done sustainably and in partnership with local communities.”
