THE government has revived the Zimbabwe Development Corporation (ZDC) as part of a renewed push to accelerate rural industrialisation and ensure communities across the country actively participate in value addition and beneficiation initiatives.

Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said the corporation, which was formed in the early 2000s specifically to spearhead rural industrialisation, had become dormant over the years but has now been reactivated with a new board to drive its mandate.

Responding to questions in Parliament ON Wednesday, Minister Ndlovu said the revival of ZDC was a strategic move aimed at expanding the rural industrialisation concept and consolidating various initiatives under a co-ordinated framework.

“We have a company that Government formed in the early 2000s called Zimbabwe Development Corporation specifically to drive rural industrialisation.

“Over the years, it had become dormant. We have revived this company. We have set up a new board for it. Its primary mandate is to identify within rural communities, areas where there are opportunities for value addition.”