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Zimbabwe launches Tourism Month celebrations

  By Lastword Musekiwa Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has launched the Tourism Month celebrations in Harare today, marking the beginning of a month-long series of events leading up to the World Tourism Day main celebrations on September 27. This year’s theme is “Tourism and Peace,” and the ministry has organized a range of activities to promote the sector’s contribution to Zimbabwe’s economic development, job creation, and cultural exchange. Speaking at the launch Minister Barbara Rwodzi highlighted the significance of the tourism sector in Zimbabwe’s economy, citing a 27% increase in international arrivals and a 24% rise in tourism receipts in the first half of 2024. “The celebrations are coming on the background of renewed global tourism recovery with Zimbabwe also experiencing significant growth over the 2023/2024 period. “The first half of the year saw the country’s tourism sector demonstrating significant growth, with international arrivals increasing by 27% to 751,483, up from 592,567 in the same period in 2023. “Correspondingly, tourism receipts saw a 24% rise, reaching US$493 million compared to US$398 million in the first half of 2023. “The sector continues to be a vital contributor to Zimbabwe’s economy, accounting for approximately 5.7% of GDP and 3.5% of national employment, underscoring its pivotal role in driving economic development and job creation,” she said. Minister Rwodzi also highlited the importance of the Tourism Month stating that it seeks to raise awareness about the significance of tourism in Zimbabwe and promote the sector’s contribution to the country’s economic development, job creation, and cultural exchange. “Zimbabwe dubbed the Month of September as the Tourism Month to raise awareness on the importance of Tourism by organising a number of activities that build-up to the main World Tourism Day celebrations on 27 September. “The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is “Tourism and Peace”. “The 1st of September marks the beginning of the 2024 World Tourism Month. Among the events for the month is the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo which will be held in Bulawayo during the period 11 to 13 September. “This event is bringing in both local and international communities to come and showcase their products. Side events will also be taking place during the period such as, MICE Master class, Tourism investment forum, Tourism scholastic, gastronomy hub, among others. “This will be followed by a Tourism Symposium to be held at Lupane State University on 19 September where papers will be presented on how Tourism contributes to national and global Peace. After the Symposium there will be a Sport tournament on the 21 September in Gokwe Kabuyani Constituency aimed at promoting Sports Tourism. “The Tourism Month will be concluded by the World Tourism Day Main Celebrations on the 27th of September 2024 at Gandavaroyi Gorge, in Gokwe Gumunyu Constituency, a hidden gem in Midlands Province,” she added. The Tourism Month celebrations are expected to attract local and international tourists, as well as stakeholders in the tourism industry, and provide a platform for networking, learning, and showcasing Zimbabwe’s tourism products and services. The main celebrations will be hosted in Midlands Province this year.

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Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana sign multi-billion dollar port deal

  By Online Desk  President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two counterparts, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi will today preside over the signing of the tripartite agreement on the Techobanine deep water Port in Maputo. The project is budgeted at US$6,5 billion for the construction of the deep-water port in Matutuine district, and a 1 700km railway line linking Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Its implementation has been under discussion since around 2011, with stalling having been attributed to lack of funding. Zimbabwean Ambassador to Mozambique Victor Matemadanda said the three leaders will put pen to paper while also discussing the way forward. Ambassador Matemadanda said following tomorrow’s signing and discussions, progress would start on the implementation of the project. Discussions for the railway line and electricity projects are already in progress

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Government releases 154 million ZiG towards vulnerable persons in urban areas.

By Online Desk Treasury says it has released 154 million ZiG to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare for disbursements towards vulnerable persons in urban areas. The money will be available for withdrawal in two weeks’ time, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Simon Masanga said yesterday. Currently Government is finalising the registration of vulnerable urban dwellers who have not been spared by the devastating effects of the El Nino induced drought. Apart from availing cash to vulnerable families, the Government has also kickstarted the food-for-work programme countrywide—and local authorities will be engaged to spotlight works that need to be carried out at a community level. Mr Masanga said the elderly and child-headed families are exempt from the public works programme, adding that they will instead receive money or grain for free. In a recent interview Minister July Moyo indicated that there is enough food on the ground and people should not panic, adding that the private sector is also importing cereals.

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ZITF 2024 prioritises carbon emission reduction

By Online Desk Organisers of the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) say this year’s event will have some changes year, including higher parking charges and exclusive shuttle services, In a bid to foster sustainability and encourage healthier mobility options. These initiatives are aimed at discouraging delegates from using their cars within the exhibition premises and to promote walking. In an interview Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Dr. Thomas Wushe said the goal is to ease parking congestion and to significantly decrease the venue’s carbon emissions. “By urging participants to use shuttle services from surrounding hotels, we address parking strains and cut down on pollution. We are encouraging attendees to experience the exhibition on foot which will enhance their visit,” said Dr. Wushe. Meanwhile ZITF board chairperson Busisa Moyo highlighted the importance of this new development. “Zimbabwe’s vibrant innovation sector has blossomed thanks to our national initiatives, aligning with our aspirations toward equitable development and prosperity,” noted Moyo. Set to take place from Tuesday next week, at the ZITF Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, the 64th ZITF edition will captivate attendees under the theme, “Innovation the Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade.” Kenyan President Dr William Ruto will officially open the ZITF where over 570 exhibitors have signed up, with 65 participating for the first time, and occupying over 97 percent of the available exhibition space. The fair will feature international participants from 27 countries, including the United States, China, Germany, Belarus, Russia and the United Kingdom. In addition to the trade fair, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga will host the opening of the ZITF Welcome Cocktail and the ZITF International Business Conference on April 24. The event series will also include the ZITF Charity Golf Challenge, the ZITF Diplomats Forum, and the Connect Africa Symposium, bringing a vibrant array of activities to Bulawayo.

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Zimbabwe part of inaugural UN’s Sustainability Week

By Lastword Musekiwa Zimbabwe is taking part in the first-ever Sustainability Week, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, convened by the President of the General Assembly for its seventy-eighth session Dennis Francis. The Sustainability Week features a series of back-to-back events consisting of thematic debates aimed at ensuring high-level attendance and progress related to ‘Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly’ (Resolution 77/335), culminating into the Summit of the Future. The event presented a platform for Zimbabwe to share experiences with other member states and showcase its contribution towards the development of a resilient and sustainable tourism industry in the country. Speaking at the forum, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi reinforced the critical role of sustainable tourism in economic development and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Minister Rwodzi upadated delegates on various initiatives by Zimbabwe to develop and promote sustainable tourism practices that benefit the economy. Meanwhile Minister Rwodzi has held sideline meetings with Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno. Zimbabwe and Indonesia share excellent relations and are keen to deepen cooperation in the tourism industry. During the meeting the Ministers underscored a need to accelerate joint efforts on cultural exchange programs, capacity building, and eco-tourism programs, among other collaborations. Minister Uno hailed the role played by Minister Rwodzi in shaping the Zimbabwe tourism industry. Minister Rwodzwi also met the Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper and exchanged views on various issues regarding bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries. Zimbabwe is keen on collaborating with Bahamas on best practices for the tourism marketing segments and strategies as the Bahamas economy is driven by tourism industry contributing 65% to the Country’s GDP. The Bahamas is also keen on working with Zimbabwe on joint marketing, promotion campaigns, capacity building, among other initiatives. The two Minister agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding on cooperation which will be expeditiously enforced by the two parties in the shortest time.

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Zimpapers CEO speaks on Zamps report

By Online Desk Despite the headwinds confronting the media business due to digital migration, the latest Zamps survey results show that Zimpapers newspapers, radios and television channel are not only resilient but continue to be market leaders in Zimbabwe, Zimpapers chief executive officer Mr Pikirayi Deketeke has said. “We are very pleased that the majority of Zimbabweans still consider our content to be the most relevant across all media platforms. “Our major newspapers that include The Herald and The Sunday Mail are still the market leaders in the print media while the others such as the Chronicle, H.Metro, Sunday News, The Manica Post and others also command significant readership,” said Mr Deketeke. “Our radio stations and the television channel have also recorded tremendous growth in listenership and viewership with Star FM emerging as Zimbabwe’s top radio station in most cities. “It is pleasant by to note that Capitalk FM, which is based in Harare is the third most listened to radio in the capital city while Diamond FM in Mutare is a cut above all radio stations listened to in the eastern highlands. “Our television channel ZTN has shown tremendous growth from 0,6 percent listenership last year to 2 percent while its competition has drastically fallen in viewership. “This gives us confidence that our investment in both television and radio is now bearing tremendous fruit. “We will continue to invest in all our media products to make sure that our content is the most sought after by Zimbabwean readers, listeners and viewers as well as digital followers,” he said.

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Zimbabwe targets more tourists from UAE, Gulf Region

By Lastword Musekiwa Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Babarba Rwodzi says government will continue to nurture mutual relations between Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to grow the sector by targeting tourists from UAE and the Gulf region at large. In a speech read on her behalf by Permanent Secretary Dr. Taka Munyanyiwa in Harare yesterday during a welcome dinner ceremony for female bloggers from UAE, the Emirati Women Travel Bloggers who are in the country on a familiarisation tour courtesy of the Zimbabwe Embassy in the (UAE), Minister Rwodzi pledged commitment to fostering cultural exchange and tourism between Harare and Abu Dhabi. “Your blogs will serve as windows into the heart and soul of Zimbabwe, allowing readers from all corners of the world to experience its rich heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. “Through your vivid descriptions, captivating photographs, and insightful narratives, you have the power to ignite the wanderlust within countless individuals, encouraging them to set foot in Zimbabwe and create unforgettable memories. “Your visit not only highlights the natural and cultural treasures of Zimbabwe but also strengthens the bond between our two nations. The United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe share a mutual commitment to fostering cultural exchange, tourism, and friendship,” she said. The Minister said the bloggers through their platforms are building bridges serving as pathways for cultural understanding and appreciation, allowing Zimbabwe and UAE to connect on a deeper level. The Emirati Women Travel Bloggers are content creators with a passion to travel to different destinations around the world showcasing culture, lifestyles, tourist attractions and cuisines of the countries visited. The bloggers will have an opportunity to visit the Eastern Highlands, undertake Safari in Hwange and the iconic Victoria Falls. In addition, they will have an opportunity to interact with local communities to learn and take part in cultural, gastronomy, lifestyle and day-to-day activities.

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Minister Rwodzi hails Rainbow Tourism Group and Grand Metropolitan Hotels partnership

    By Lastword Musekiwa Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has hailed the strategic partnership between Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) and a Switzerland-based international hospitality company, the Grand Metropolitan Hotels BV (GMH). The partnership include the formation of a Zimbabwean joint venture entity that will identify and pursue new hotel opportunities in Zimbabwe and the formation of a Sub-Saharan African joint venture entity that will focus on various hotel opportunities across Sub-Saharan Africa The partnership will also see the creation of a hospitality academy in partnership with a top Swiss Hospitality School which will be a hospitality training hub aimed at expanding the human capital base in the industry and internet market. In her congratulatory message following the launch of the partnership in Cape Town, South Africa on the sidelines of the World Travel Market Africa showcase, Minister Rwodzi said: “The partnership with the a well renowned International Brand, Grand Metropolitan Hotels for the School of Hospitality that will definitely change the landscape of tourism and hospitality industry in the country and the rest of Africa. It is a welcome initiative that will complement Education 5.0 to bridge our education qualifications and skills. “I’m proud to have witnessed the launch of this partnership that will enhance the growth and competitiveness of our industry in line with our government’s priorities and strategies for socio- economic development in the country,” she said. In a statement, RTG corporate affairs and quality manager, Pride Khumbula said the strategic move is aligned with Zimbabwe’s national mantra that the country is Open for Business in line with the engagement and re-engagement agenda. “It is important to highlight that the strategic partnership is growth-oriented and specifically for the creation of new value. “The formation of the Zimbabwe Hospitality Academy is a demonstration of Zimbabwe leading in developing solutions for human capital for Africa by Africans. “The Academy will also be in collaboration with one of the best hospitality schools in Europe. It also signifies the carrying to fruition of the philosophy by President Mnangagwa that Zimbabwe is open for business and the principle of engagement and re-engagement with the whole world,” she said. GMH is a Dutch registered private company with limited liability incorporated under Dutch law and headquartered in Roermond, the Netherlands. GMH has a rich history as an independent White Label Operator with a strong balance sheet, boasting assets exceeding 200 million EUR.

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Drought: state of disaster declared . . . US$2bn needed for food relief

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the El Nino drought that has hit Zimbabwe in the 2023/2024 summer cropping season a national state of disaster with effect from yesterday, stating that Zimbabwe needs at least US$2 billion to mitigate the effects of the drought, with significantly more people now requiring food aid. Making the declaration at State House yesterday, the President said this would allow comprehensive efforts to mobilise the needed resources and reassured the nation that the Government would ensure that no person and no place would be left without sustenance. Zambia and Malawi, also hit by the El Niño drought, have already declared similar states of disaster. Under a state of disaster the Government is able to reallocate resources and take other emergency measures to cope. President Mnangagwa said Government would intervene to mitigate the effects of drought and at the same time he sought assistance internationally and locally to help meet the needed measures. “Preliminary assessments show that Zimbabwe requires in excess of US$2 billion towards various interventions we envisage in the spectrum of our national response. Once again, let me assure you my fellow Zimbabweans, that our national response will be broad, comprehensive and all encompassing. No one and no place will be left without sustenance,” said President Mnangagwa. “The foregoing situation of the climate change-induced drought requires measures and interventions as provided for in our laws. To that end, I do hereby declare a nationwide state of disaster, due to the El Niño-induced drought. “Accordingly, I now invoke Section 27, Subsection 1 of the Civil Protection Act, which provides that if at any time it appears to the President that any disaster of such a nature and extent that extraordinary measures are necessary to assist and protect the persons affected or likely to be affected by the disaster in any area of the country, the President may, in such a manner as he considers fit, declare that, with effect from a date specified by him, a state of disaster exists within an area or areas specified by him in the declaration,” said President Mnangagwa. “By this declaration, I also call upon all Zimbabweans of goodwill, including those in the diaspora, the international community, United Nations agencies, development and humanitarian partners, international financial institutions, the private sector, churches and other faith-based organisations, as well as individuals to generously donate towards ameliorating this state of national disaster.” Zimbabwe had planted the optimum hectarage of maize and other grains that would have guaranteed good harvests had it not been for the severe drought More than 80 percent of the country received below normal rainfall. A total 1 728 897 hectares had been put under maize and other cereals. “Ordinarily this would have guaranteed a bountiful harvest. “Further worsening the situation characterised by poor rainfall was the outbreak of fall armyworm across the country,” he said. Last year’s report of the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee found that about 2,7 million people then were expected to be food insecure from April last year until the end of last month, and these are the people who had already been receiving food aid from stocks accumulated from surpluses of past seasons. More people would now need assistance, hence the emergency measures required. Normally Zimbabwe could feed itself with surpluses built up in food stocks owing to multi-pronged agricultural and food systems strategies . The strategic grain reserve, that is grain not needed for ordinary commercial use, currently held 145 604 tonnes of maize, and 43 964 tonnes of traditional grain, with 138 905 tonnes of surplus wheat set to be allocated for the strategic grain reserve to give a combined 356 000 tonnes of cereals. With 868 273 tonnes expected from this season’s harvests the country faced food cereal deficit of nearly 680 000 tonnes of grain. This deficit would have to be bridged by imports, with the private sector expected to import its share of the needs, said President Mnangagwa. “Top on our priority is securing food for all Zimbabweans. No Zimbabwean must succumb to or die from hunger. Adequate resources will therefore, be mobilised and redirected towards national food security, including through supplementary grain imports,” he said. “All available grain in the country will be secured through competitive prices and prompt payment towards encouraging farmers to release and sell available grain, including to the Grain Marketing Board. A robust and responsive mechanism has been put in place to guarantee that food reaches needy communities timely.” The winter wheat crop programme for 2024 now assumed greater importance and urgency as there was need to expand the hectarage. Therefore, winter wheat maize projects in areas such as Chiredzi, Muzarabani and Binga needed to be reactivated towards drought mitigation. Furthermore, the agriculture mechanisation and modernisation programme would continue until the majority of small-holder farmers upgrade their operations, in line with the ongoing rural development agenda. Government would continue rolling out measures to ensure drinking water was adequate for both people and livestock, and more boreholes would be drilled under the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme to ensure adequate and safe water. Responding to questions, President Mnangagwa said while current infrastructure projects were going on unpeturbed, there was a likelihood of diverting some of the funds to procure food should that need arise. “The projects have not been affected. They are still ongoing, but there is a possibility that as we move on, and as the impact of drought weighs on us, we may consider diverting some of the resources to mitigate the impact of drought,” he said. President Mnangagwa said Government would not export any food for now and was infact looking forward to importing from South Africa which has some surpluses. “In South Africa they usually have huge surplus but they have a small surplus this season. We will hear from them. We believe they might sell us that small surplus,” he said. Zimbabwe, he said, had a lot to learn from other countries such as Russia with vast experience in irrigation farming

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Call for value addition in tobacco production

By Tanyaradzwa Kutaura Vice President Dr Constatino Chiwenga has urged stakeholders in the tobacco industry to devise mechanisms aimed at promoting value addition of the golden leaf as the country seeks to retain more value lost through raw exports. Addressing farmers during the official opening of the 2024 tobacco selling season in Harare this Wednesday, Dr Chiwenga said the country has set sights towards promoting value addition. “Government is concerned that we still export ninety-eight percent of our tobacco in raw form, in the process exporting jobs value. “In tandem with our value addition and beneficiation thrust, the Second Republic has laid down a comprehensive plan in the tobacco value chain. “I am pleased with current investments in tobacco processing plants in the country to give impetus to value addition from the current two percent of tobacco produced to over 30 percent. “As government we are creating an enabling environment for entities interested in value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwean tobacco in the broader framework of a private sector led economy,” he said. The country has over the past few years improved tobacco production with farmers producing at least 211 million kilograms of the golden leaf in 2021, 212 million kilograms in 2022. Meanwhile Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board Patrick Devenish bemoaned the effects of climate change on the country saying the tobacco industry has not been spared from such. “The just ended production season was one such year which the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe predicted a strong El Niño event occurring between October 2023 and March 2024,” he said. “The tobacco production sector was not spared as a total of 113 101 ha was planted in comparison to 117 645 ha planted at the same time last year. The negative four percentage variance was because of delayed rains that were received which affected the delayed timing for planting for the dryland crop. “The late rains caused a delayed establishment of crops for small-scale farmers who contribute over 70% of the national yield. Consequently, there was a decline in volume produced per hectare. “For this marketing season, the number of registered growers is 115,114 compared to 148,300 in the prior year. The due diligence undertaken by the Board to ensure compliance with the registration process led to the decline. “For this season, the Board has licensed two auction floors, and these are, Tobacco Sales Floor (TSF) and Premier Tobacco Auction Floor (PTAF),” he said.

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