By Owen Mandovha
The expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is expected to boost other sectors of the economy, which will help the country attain an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
The cause and effect relationship between airports and economic development is a subject of analysis and study, with key findings linking increased industrial demand to improvement in international and domestic airport access.
In undertaking the US$153 million Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion project, government had this in mind and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, Mr Tawanda Gusha summed it up during an assessment tour of the facility.
“The increase in cargo and passenger handling capacity of the airport will benefit many sectors not only the tourism industry but also the Agricultural sector like horticulture. So, this project resonates with the country’s economic aspirations,” said Gusha.
Competition in the travel and tourism industry in the post-COVID-19 era is expected to be cutthroat, hence world-class airport infrastructure will provide countries including Zimbabwe with an edge.
Travel and Leisure Consultant Ignatius Matungamire said, “Travel and tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry and the decision to expand the main airport will elevate our competitive edge compared to other neighbours.”
The Second Republic has prioritised infrastructure development across the board including road and dam construction in view of the understanding that it is key in the country’s economic development aspirations of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
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