Republic of Zimbabwe Vice-President Joice Mujuru at the opening of a brick factory inside the Southern Africa state. The country is attempting to enhance its economic independence from the West., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Zimbabwe welcomes re-engagement efforts — VP Mujuru
Friday, 03 May 2013 00:00
Morris Mkwate in DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
ZIMBABWE is looking forward to ending its long-standing bilateral dispute with Britain following re-engagement efforts initiated by London and the European Union, Vice-President Mujuru has said.
In a speech read on her behalf by the Minister of State in her Office, Cde Sylvester Nguni, at the Africa Global Business Forum here yesterday, Cde Mujuru said Zimbabwe hoped steps towards restoration of normal relations between the two countries would yield positive outcomes.
The reconciliatory message delivered to President Mugabe by United States special envoy Ambassador Andrew Young last month is also appreciated, she added while encouraging potential investors to consider the vast business opportunities Zimbabwe presents.
“Zimbabwe also welcomes the re-engagement efforts that were recently initiated by Britain and the European Union. It is our hope that these engagements will bear fruit and bring to an end over a decade’s isolation of Zimbabwe by Western countries.
“In the same breath, we also welcome the sending of a special envoy from the United States of America to Harare with a special message that the United States is keen to normalise relations with Zimbabwe ahead of harmonised elections scheduled to be held later this year,” she said.
The Vice-President urged foreign investors to activate their radars around Zimbabwe where business prospects abound in mining, agriculture and tourism, among other sectors.
She said Zimbabwe’s stable economy also provided a conducive investment environment, adding that the co-hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly with Zambia in August boosted on-going tourism marketing efforts.
“In mining, the investment opportunities spectrum include resuscitation of existing under-capitalised mines, prospecting and establishment of new mines in gold, coal, diamond, granite, platinum, just to mention a few.
“Opportunities also include beneficiation and polishing diamonds, jewellery and tile manufacturing.
“The tourism sector in Zimbabwe got global tourism confidence when Zimbabwe won the bid to co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in August this year at the majestic Victoria Falls.
“This has generated significant brand awareness and endorsement of Zimbabwe as a first choice tourist destination.”
VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe was working closely with the Comesa and Southern Africa to keep abreast with contemporary business trends and refining investment procedures.
“Among a host of factors that are fundamental to sustainable economic growth and development is the aspect of Foreign Direct Investment. This has seen countries, Zimbabwe included, liberalise their economies to facilitate easy flow of capital in and out of the country.
The Africa Global Business Forum, which ended here yesterday, brought together more than 3 500 policy-makers and business leaders to discuss investment prospects in Africa.
The interface also homed in on Dubai being the central hub linking the rest of the world to the continent.
It ended with delegates agreeing to jointly market five of the top investor-seeking areas of their individual countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment