A GROUP of Zimbabwean business people have penned down agreements with Japanese car manufacturers in a deal that would see locals drive their dream cars through hire purchase.
BY BUSINESS REPORTER
A first batch of about 500 vehicles, to be delivered through businesswoman Smelly Dube’s River Valley Properties will arrive in the country in the next six weeks.
Industry and Commerce deputy minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa said government was supportive of the venture.
“As government, we strongly support them because we do not only encourage foreign direct investment, but domestic investments. We are very supportive of the investment that is why we took the business people there. Of course we do due diligence to what is coming in,” she said.
“The Japanese said they wanted people who have been recommended by government so we strongly recommend and support them. “
Dube said she decided to come up with the deal to enable Zimbabweans to have access to brand new and reconditioned top-of-the-range vehicles at cheap and relaxed payment terms.
The Gweru-based land developer was part of a 16-member Zimbabwean delegation which visited Japan early this year.
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The delegation included Mabuwa and followed last year’s visit by President Robert Mugabe to the Asian giant.
The deal, Dube said, would also include skills transfer, with 40 Zimbabweans expected to go to Japan for training in vehicle manufacturing and refurbishments after which the Japanese would set up a vehicle reconditioning plant within the next three years. The ultimate goal would be to establish a car manufacturing plant in the country in the next five years, he said.
“We expect the first batch of the vehicles in the next six weeks. The scheme will enable Zimbabweans who have been sold dumped vehicles to access new and reconditioned cars on hire purchase,” she said.
“The scheme will cover low and high vehicles to cater for everyone, including commercial cars such as earth movers, tractors and buses.”
Harare South MP Shadreck Mashayamombe, who will be Dube’s partner, said people would pay a deposit and settle the remainder on higher purchase after receiving the vehicles that would also be insured.
He said the Japanese car manufacturers promised to manufacture cars in Zimbabwe as long as there were adequate supplies of iron ore and coal.
“We have realised people are having difficulties in purchasing good quality vehicles. The scheme will enable people to drive good quality vehicles on relaxed payment terms. We have also secured a deal that will see 10 000 tractors land in the country, half of them will be new while the other half will be refurbished. The tractors will have planters with an output of over 60 horse power,” he said.
“I also signed an energy deal that will see a Japanese company build a solar field in Harare South that will produce 200MW. The company will also set a plant to produce LED lights that consume less power.”
