THE announcement that the City of Polokwane in South Africa is helping Bulawayo to set up a China City as a way of attracting investment could not have come at a better time.
Polokwane municipal officials who are currently attending the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) confirmed that plans were underway to set up the structure, which has proved very popular in many parts of the world.
A China City usually comprises shops that trade in all sorts of products imported from the Asian giant and provides the convenience of shopping in one place. Polokwane, the capital of the Limpopo province has established a China City that would be officially opened in June.
The shopping complex has 72 shops for clothes, shoes, handbags, toys, furniture and restaurants, among others.
There is no doubt that many Zimbabwean cross-border traders and bargain hunters would be flocking to the new facility in numbers.
Bulawayo has been given an opportunity to tap into that market and ensure that those shoppers don’t have to endure long travels and chaos at the borders.
Mayor Martin Moyo when officially welcoming exhibitors at the ZITF, indicated that Bulawayo is open for business and the proposed China City is one way to demonstrate that indeed, it is no longer time for rhetoric. Bulawayo has a twining arrangement with Polokwane as well as eThekwini (Durban) and it is really encouraging to note that these partnerships are not platforms for mere talk shops.
Once the proposed shopping mall takes shape, Bulawayo would have something tangible to show for the big investment it has put into these twinning arrangements.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
There are many other levels of co-operation that the cities are engaged in that will definitely uplift the lives of their residents.
Therefore, the collaboration between Polokwane and Bulawayo has to be applauded and deserves the unflinching support of all regulatory authorities whose endorsement is needed in the setting up of China City.
In our editorial yesterday there was a mix-up in the name of Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo who was referred to as Thaba Moyo. Thaba Moyo is the former mayor. We sincerely apologise for the error.
