To date, a total of ZWL$2.5 billion, which constitutes 34.5% of total capital development, has been set aside for various transport, water, public amenities, energy, irrigation, social services and other infrastructural projects. The Hwange 7 and 8 Thermal Power project, R. G. Mugabe International Airport Expansion, borehole rehabilitation and drilling, and the construction of the new Parliament Building projects are all well on course. Dam construction projects such as the Marovanyati Dam, Gwai-Shangani Dam, walling of Causeway Dam, among others are also on schedule.
The tourism sector remains on an upward growth trajectory, generating about US$1.3 billion in receipts. To accelerate this growth trend, robust strategies are being pursued to boost investments in accommodation and conference facilities, as well as in widening our range of tourism products. I urge players in the sector to be flexible and adopt more competitive pricing regimes and to jointly market our attractions with partners from the region and beyond.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, significant steps have been realised in the implementation of the Public Enterprise Reforms. These include the:
- De-merger of GMB into the GMB Strategic Grain Reserve and Silo Foods Industries;
- Recapitalisation of the NRZ, for which US$420 million has now been secured by the DIDG;
- Recapitalisation of CSC, of which the approved strategic partner is already on the ground;
- Unbundling of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ);
- Approval by Cabinet of the roadmap for the privatisation of TelOne and NetOne as a single entity; and
- The partial privatisation of Allied Timbers, POSB, ZUPCO, AGRIBANK and the IDBZ.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is incumbent on us all to ensure that our nation grooms proactive patriotic young citizens capable of protecting their heritage. Through the ongoing Build Zimbabwe Programme, Government has mobilised thousands of young people from across the country, to engage in voluntary work within their respective communities. Meanwhile, the Empower Bank continues to capacitate our youths through financial inclusion programmes and financial training workshops across the country.
In the health sector, Government is implementing measures to revitalise the referral system by upgrading medical infrastructure and equipment in clinics, districts hospitals and central hospitals. I wish, at this juncture, to pay tribute to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Government of India along with other partners, for their generous support towards the modernisation and revamping of our health delivery system.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we continue to engage and re-engage with the international community. We remain indebted to SADC, following the landmark resolution taken at the 39th Summit held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania in August this year, declaring 25th October as the date for Member States to collectively call for the lifting of the illegal sanctions imposed on our country. Zimbabwe deeply appreciates this gesture of friendship and solidarity.
The 74th United Nations General Assembly held only last week, offered us yet another opportunity to advance our country’s national interests, highlighting our journey of transition, reform and growth. Our participation at meetings under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Tokyo International Cooperation for African Development (TICAD) was also in furtherance of this goal. At all these forums, conversations were frank, positive and productive.
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