By Tendai Matunhu

Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has revealed that Parliament is in the process of working on the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Bill that will ensure the establishment of Special Economic Zones across the country and a one stop investment centre.

Speaking to the media today in Harare, Advocate Mudenda said, “What we are doing as Parliament in terms of the legislative process is to ensure that the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Bill is concluded. It is now at committee stage which will have an impact on the establishment on our Special Economic Zones, joint ventures as well as ensuring that we have a one stop investment centre.

“We are happy that the debate in Parliament is going on very well and I am hoping that mid-way the second session of the Ninth Parliament, we should go through that Bill and present it to His Excellency for ascending his signature,” he said.

The Bill is aimed at improving reforms on the ease of doing business as well as attracting foreign direct investment into the country.

Meanwhile Advocate Mudenda also said he had met with United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, Mr Clement Voule and spoke on the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly as he is in the country to assess the Human rights situation.

Asked on how far Parliament had gone to make sure that there is a legislation ensuring human rights in the country, Advocate Mudenda said, “We have encouraged members of the public to petition Parliament on issues relative to Human Rights and any other developmental issues. So far we have had 69 petitions that have come through Parliament.”