High tariffs on imports and raw materials as well as poor representation of people from the Matabeleland region in policy and decision making bodies have been highlighted as the reasons why so many strategic companies have been closing down or relocating to other cities.
This was said last week by Dr Ruth Labode, the chairperson of the Matabeleland Chamber of Industries, during an MDC –T organized extra ordinary policy conference on the re- industrializing of Bulawayo.
Labode said Bulawayo had been hardest hit by the company closures and relocations which she said had affected the quality of business markets, purchasing power, employment generation and household incomes.
“It is our concern that over the past decade, there are fewer and fewer people from Matabeleland in policy and decision making bodies, be it public or private ones. This leads to marginalization and failure by the people of this region to participate actively and contribute into mainstream national activities,” she said.
She cited the Zimbabwe Tourism Board (ZTA), National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), NASSA and the Zimbabwe Revenue Collection authority (ZIMRA) as some of companies whose boards did not have any one from the region. Labode also cited the Lupane State University board which she said was being run by people from Harare.
The MCI chairperson also complained about what she described as high tariffs on imports of raw materials which many companies in the city used. She also blamed the city’s perennial water shortages.
More than 80 companies are reported to be either closed down or relocated to other cities since the beginning of the economic meltdown which hit the country before the formation of the inclusive government.
Ruth Labode, the MCL Chairperson. (Zim diaspora)
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