Construction is soon starting on a $10 million Victoria Falls Mall investment by Zimre Property Investments after environmental assessment is almost complete.

Zimre Property Investments announced that construction of a new Victoria Falls Mall will start this year and is expected to last for 13 to 18 months. Commencement of works is now still pending due to the lack of some administrative approvals. This process, said the company, is however at an advanced stage, especially those components relating to the Environmental Impact Assessment.

According to the existing plans, the shopping mall will cater to the specific needs of the region, particularly in what concerns tourist and business-related infrastructures. Apart from the traditional tenants, the new Victoria Falls Mall will have offices, internet cafes, banks, a medical centre, among others. The mall will also offer specific venues for international business conferences and events.

Zimre, which earlier in the year reported a portfolio decrease and low dividends due to a “difficult operating environment”, is trying to diversify its operations. The company sees good investment opportunities in retail in Victoria Falls and is also considering an investment of the same nature in closeby Livingstone, on the Zambian side.