Zimbuild CEO Tinashe Manzungu is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he is part of a delegation from Zimbabwe that is attending a number of conferences and expos to mark the International Construction Week (ICW).
Part of the trip includes attending the International Construction Transformation Conference (ICTC) and the Build Xpo Malaysia, which is an international building and construction industry showcase, among others.
The ICW is anchored on the need to incorporate sustainability in the construction industry.
Sustainability has become increasingly important for the construction industry due to the impact of the industry on the environment and society.
Manzungu, who is also the vice-president of the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA), is part of a delegation that includes ZBCA members, local authorities’ officials and representatives from the Urban Development Corporation.
Officials from the Housing ministry and Zimbabwe Embassy to Malaysia are part of the proceedings, which, according to Manzungu, are meant to create synergies between the local building and construction industry players and outsiders.
“This gathering aims at exposing us to sustainable financing initiatives, affordable housing finance, green building projects, as well as modern construction methods,” said Manzungu.
“We are looking forward to sustainable profitable partnerships.”
Manzungu said they met with investors, funders, and international-acclaimed contractors.
“For us it’s a learning curve because since 2021, the government of Zimbabwe has put powers in for an indigenous person to come into the construction line to develop the country,” he said.
“So, we are here to learn, adapt, change, and modernise our systems.”
Manzungu said he was happy to see a lot of innovation premised on new technologies and how Malaysian financial institutions are involved in the building and construction industry.
“We are seeing a lot of movement in terms of construction technologies and the simple case of infrastructure funding where you see that the Export Bank of Malaysia is also taking part in developing the world with Africa being their key strategic points,” he said.
“We look forward for further engagements, and as Zimbabwe, we have started to grow from an industrial point of view.
“We see Zimbabwe its growing construction industry with this kind of direction that we are taking part in.”
ZBCA president Petros Kagwere said the trip to Malaysia was meant to build a network in the industry at a global level.
“We are excited that we have met a lot of contractors who are doing a lot of work here in Malaysia and our thrust, and our engagement was emphasising on collaboration with them,” he said.
“We have already agreed on MOUs with them, and we will be visiting some of the sites.”
Meanwhile, National Housing and Social Amenities minister Yeukai Simbanegavi on Wednesday presented a paper titled Rapid Construction Growth in Zimbabwe during Session 3 of the ICTC titled: Exploring New Horizons / Iconic ESG Projects
