Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Rumbidzai Mashayahanya
10 July 2009
Harare — INVESTORS should capitalise on Zimbabwe's strategic position as the economic hub of Southern Africa and explore existing business opportunities, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has said.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Investment Conference in Harare yesterday, DPM Mutambara said investors should not have reservations on investment opportunities in Zimbabwe as safety is guaranteed.
"Investors should take advantage of our strategic position as the industrial, railway and road hub of the region. "Zimbabwe is endowed with infinite resources and it will not come as a surprise that if we dig deep and carefully there is a vast amount of minerals waiting to be exploited.
"The only fear an investor should have is fear itself, because it keeps one from discovering diamonds and seeing a gold mine where all others see minefields," DPM Mutambara said. He urged local and foreign investors to enter into partnerships and move away from individualism as it hindered progress and effective capital building.
"We are moving from ownership to partnership with industry witnessing a union between Government and the private sector. "We have the best human capital second to Tunisia. Where we should enter into partnerships with companies like Deboswana to mine diamonds. We cannot build roads alone but partner with private sector to ensure maximum productivity and capacity utilisation in all sectors," said DPM Mutambara.
DPM Mutambara said Zimbabwe was not a charity case waiting for donations to be handed over but seeking investments and investor relations as a step towards building a sound economy. Addressing at the same occasion, Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Elton Mangoma said investment is a key instrument to jump-start the economy and the rebuilding of relations with the international world.
"The results that I witness to when I travelled with the Prime Minister were of fundamental importance to this conference as the results will catalyse the economic recovery and help restore investor confidence in the face of the recovering economy," said Minister Mangoma. The engagement of private and Government sectors is critical in ensuring success and the Government has since invited investors both local and Diaspora alike to try and turn around the economy.
"At the end of the conference we hope Zimbabwe will become a favourable investment destination. "By year end Zimbabwe aims to move from three percent to five percent economic growth and an inflation of five percent also by year end," said Minister Mangoma.
The conference, which ends to today, has been described as an opportunity for investors to review prospects in the country.
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