The First Secretary of ZANU PF and His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa says infrastructure development is key to economic development. President Mnangagwa said this yesterday when he commissioned the upgrading and widening of the Beitbridge-Masvingo-Harare highway in Matebeleland South. President Mnangagwa is fulfilling the ZANU PF Manifesto pledge of infrastructure development, turning it into a reality Infrastructure development is one of the key pillars towards the attainment of a middle-income economy status His Excellency, the President said the world is a global village hence infrastructure development is key to economic growth. He said the Beitbridge-Harare road is critical to the North-South corridor. With a 12.5 meters width requirement, he said this will result in increased movement of cargo in the SADC region. He highlighted that the implementation of the upgrading of the road suffered delays and false starts in the previous dispensation, however the Second Republic is now addressing the problem for the benefit of the economy and the general public. President Mnangagwa also said the Government is unwavering in its commitment to engage local companies which are doing impressive work. He furthered that local people are being employed and no engineers were being contracted from outside the country only local.