Harare — THE Ministry of Finance has committed to release about US$13,6 million for the development and rehabilitation of tourism-related infrastructure in time for the 2010 Fifa World Cup to be hosted by South Africa in June this year.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said Finance Minister Tendai Biti made the commitment on Monday during a meeting to discuss the country's funding requirements in preparation for the football showcase.

Minister Mzembi said the Ministry of Finance would release the funds through line ministries that must implement their projects on a timeline basis to ensure the infrastructure is fully developed or rehabilitated by June this year.

He said Minister Biti has committed to release funds for road rehabilitation at a cost of US$5 million, water and sanitation related to tourism (US$2,3 million), airport maintenance (US$5,1 million) and stadiums and utilities (US$1,3 million), which would all be allotted through line ministries.

"We agreed that these would be funded through line ministries and we promised that if this happens we would come back with US$200 million by July 11.

"He (Minister Biti) also made a commitment to fund issues that fall directly under this ministry that boost tourism arrivals and connect Zimbabwe to the World Cup," said Minister Mzembi.

In this regard, the Ministry of Finance would provide financial resources to support the establishment of fan parks and public viewing areas in all the 63 districts of the country.

The Tourism Ministry has already secured some corporate sponsorship for establishment of 32 of the fan parks and hopes to exceed its targeted range of at least one fan park or public viewing area in all the country's districts.

In addition, said Minister Mzembi, Minister Biti made an undertaking to avail US$2 million for marketing, media and publicity related to the 2010 World Cup.

Minister Mzembi said this after meeting South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Professor Mlungisi Makhalima, who expressed his country's commitment to assist Zimbabwe with financial resources to prepare for the World Cup.

Prof Makhalima said his country would do everything in its capacity to mobilise financial resources required to ensure the dream to make the World Cup an African project, under the African Legacy initiative, comes true for Zimbabwe.

"It leaves us very upbeat and excited about the collaborative efforts between your ministry and the South African Embassy ahead of this major event."

Minister Biti could not be reached yesterday to comment on the issue.

The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry also wanted funding for other projects such as investment promotion and trade, the national secretariat, security and accreditation of visitors, hosting foreign and local national football teams and for accommodation and catering requirements.

Zimbabwe is targeting US$200 million from the Fifa World Cup in South Africa and expects about 130 000 of the 450 000 visitors who would descend on South Africa to also extend their visits to Zimbabwe.

Normally, 30 percent of tourism visitors to South Africa end up in Zimbabwe.

It is against this background that Zimbabwe is seeking financial assistance from the South African government to fully prepare for the global football event.