Zimbabwe Vice-President Travels to Dubai

Republic of Zimbabwe Vice President Joice Mujuru. She has encouraged students to seek excellence in education., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Mujuru off to Dubai

Monday, 29 April 2013 00:00
Zimbabwe Herald
Morris Mkwate

Vice-President Joice Mujuru left Harare last night for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates to attend the Africa Global Business Forum, which begins Wednesday.

VP Mujuru is also reciprocating the visit by the ruler of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who was in Zimbabwe two months ago on an investment

mission.

The VPs delegation comprises Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi, Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office Sylvester Nguni as well as Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora.

Minister Nguni said the Vice-President is scheduled to present a paper at the forum. He said she would also hold bilateral talks with Sheikh Saud.

“The Vice-President will present a paper in line with our strengthening links and contacts with that part of the world. She is also following up the visit by the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

“Certainly, I cannot pre-empt the paper since she has not yet presented it. However, it is all part of our thrust of strengthening links and seeing whether we can entice investors to come to Zimbabwe.”

Minister Nguni said Zimbabwe would also take advantage of the forum to identify markets for local products.

“There is a wide array of opportunities for investment. The only way we can let the world know about this is by highlighting it,” he said.

“We are also looking at trade opportunities. Zimbabwe has many items that it can export. Likewise, there are also things we can import from there.”

The Africa Global Business Forum, organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Comesa Regional Investment Agency, seeks to highlight the business opportunities in Africa.

It is expected to attract more than 2 000 policy-makers and business leaders from Africa, Asia and Europe. The forum will discuss challenges and business opportunities in finance, agribusiness, logistics and trade across the Comesa, the East African Community, Sadc, the Indian Ocean, the Ecowas, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development and the African Union.

Focus will also be on Dubai’s strategic role as a world-class link for doing business with Africa. Already, the United Arab Emirates government has seized opportunities on the continent where it accounts for US$97 billion in capital expenditure over the last 10 years.