1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Bill (H.8, 2, 2079) was gazetted on 5 April 2019. Consequently, the Bill stood referred to the Committee on Industry and Commerce compelling the Committee to discharge its scrutinizing function, so as to make essential recommendations. The Bill seeks to establish the Zimbabwe lnvestment and Development Agency, a one stop shop for investors.  Realising that Investment and foreign trade which is the prerogative of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade are inextricably interlinked, the two Committees resolved to carry out joint public consultations.

METHODOLOGY
The Portfolio Committees on Industry and Commerce and Foreign Affairs and International Trade, held joint public hearings on the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Bill (HB. 2, 2019) from the 2nd to the 7th of June 2019. The joint Committee was divided into two teams, Team A covered areas in the Northern part of the country; Kariba, Bindura, Marondera, Rusape and Harare while Team B covered areas in the Southern part of the country which are Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Gwanda, Kwekwe and Masvingo. These public consultations were pursuant to Section 141 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which states that:

"Parliament must ensure that interested parties are consulted about Bills being considered by Parliament, unless such consultation is inappropriate or impracticable"

The public hearings were attended by youths, pensioners, business people, and representatives from tertiary institutions, government officials, resident associations, civil society groups, officials frorh Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZlA), Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority (ZIMSEZA), ZIMTRADE and  Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Intemational Trade as well as the general public. The joint Committee expressed its heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed at the public hearings and those who made written submissions.

The full report can be downloaded below.