Zimbabwe: Parliament okays $153m airport deal

The National Assembly has ratified the $153 million Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion project following the signing of a loan agreement between Government and China Eximbank last month.

Minister Patrick Chinamasa said upgrading and expansion of the airport would restore Zimbabwe and Harare’s position as an international and regional hub.

“There should be improved passenger processing through the introduction of state-of-the-art passenger processing and facilitation equipment and systems, runway safety assurance through completion of the runway rehabilitation and airfield lighting project. (We) expect increased traffic at the airport as has been evidenced by traffic growth at the Victoria Falls International Airport after completion of that development project.”

Minister Chinamasa said the expansion of the airport would also increase tourist visits into the country and create employment. He said: “The proceeds collected from air infrastructure development fund and air passengers’ services charge would be ring-fenced into an escrow account that would be jointly monitored by the Government and the China Eximbank.”

China Eximbank also provided $150 million for the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport that has seen an increase in tourist arrivals in the resort town since its completion.