HARARE, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government on Tuesday added quarry and granite mining to the list of economic sectors that are exclusively reserved for local investors.
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare, the southern African country's capital, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere said the move is meant to enhance the empowerment and participation of indigenous Zimbabweans in the mining sub-sector.
"Cabinet agreed on the need to streamline the operations in the reserved sectors, taking into consideration the balance between national interests and attracting investments into the country," Muswere said.
According to the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act, a number of sectors are reserved for Zimbabweans, including artisanal mining, tobacco grading, and packaging.
Muswere said mining companies operating in Zimbabwe are expected to drive the country's rural industrialization through community economic empowerment trusts.
"The trusts will be supported to set up industrial parks, working with potential partners in their respective districts," he said, adding that it will ensure that communities benefit from the extraction and exploitation of natural resources in their respective areas through revenue sharing. ■
