https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/110430-air-zimbabwe-to-get-new-aircraft-expand-routes-next-year

Dec. 7, 2021

The Zimbabwean government has allocated ZWL1.5 billion Zimbabwean dollars (USD4.1 million at RBZ rate) for the recapitalisation of Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare Int'l), to be used towards the acquisition of new aircraft, route expansion, digitalisation, and a lean workforce. This was disclosed by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube during his 2022 national budget speech on November 25. He said the recapitalisation was in support of the national airline’s six-year strategic turn-around plan.

Government to expend 5% fuel levy on Beitbridge - Chirundu Highway

Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube has allocated 5% of the excise duty revenue collected on fuel towards the construction of the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway as international financiers remain elusive. The total cost of the project, that has stalled for years and yet facilitates regional trade and the movement of goods, is estimated at US$1,2 billion. Presenting the 2020 National Budget last Thursday, Ncube said he was going to fund the rehabilitation of the highway through internally generated funds emanating from 5% fuel excise duty.

President opens Dry Port Facility in Namibia

President Mnangagwa added that the dry port was an alternative and shorter route for transportation of goods to and from the respective countries. “This dry port infrastructure will go a long way towards the realisation of economic development and integration of our countries. It’s not only going to serve Zimbabwe.  “It is going to serve Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and possibly DRC. This facility provides us in Zimbabwe with a direct alternative shipping route on the Atlantic side for both exports and imports from the Americas, the Far East, Europe and West Africa.  “It will further broaden the prospects of our companies to increase trade within the context of African (Continental) Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by promoting inter-African trade,” he said.

$150million for Beitbridge- Chirundu highway revamp

GOVERNMENT has set aside $150 million for the rehabilitation of the accident prone Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway. Speaking at a construction site in Beatrice where Department of Roads workers were completing a 3km detour, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) had so far released $40 million for the project. The Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway facilitates regional trade and the movement of millions of people between Southern, Central and East Africa.

Encouraging progress on RGM Airport expansion

Work on expanding  Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport is on schedule, raising expectations the $153 million project, which is expected to increase traffic, cargo volumes and passenger numbers, will be completed on time, a Cabinet minister has said. Government believes that the new terminal, whose commissioning will likely coincide with increased flights from regional and international airlines, will be passenger-centric. The project, which is bankrolled through a $153 million concessional loan facility from China Eximbank, involves refurbishing the old terminal and constructing a six-kilometre runway.

Belarus deal to make Zimbabwe transport logistics hub

President Mnangagwa and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko yesterday sealed eight agreements, and also advanced a grand infrastructure scheme that could make Zimbabwe a regional transport and logistics hub. The eight agreements cover various aspects of education and training, science and technology, agriculture and legal issues such as extradition. Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri — who is the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade — signed for Zimbabwe while representatives from Belarus put pen to paper on their country's behalf.

Zimbabwe to get bus assembly plant

Zimbabwe, through a joint venture cooperation with Belarus, will soon set up a vehicle assembly plant for the production of buses suitable for the local terrain, a move that dovetails into President Mnangagwa’s thrust for industrialisation.