Zim gvt hosts diasporians in investment conference at ZITF

Government to conference with Zimbabwe Diasporans during 2023 ZITF By Harry Taruva and Delicious Mathuthu Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (MOFAIT) is set to engage Zimbabweans in the diaspora on the sidelines of the 2023, 63rd Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo to device a strategic and sustainable partnership, Kwedu News has learnt. The 2023 ZITF exhibition will run from the 25th to the 29th of April and the conference, dubbed the Diaspora Investment Conference: Spotlight Zimbabwe, will be held on the 26th. In one of the invitation letters for the event, addressed to the Zimbabwe Community Associations in Australia, the Zimbabwe Embassy in Australia said the conference, to be held physically and virtually, is a show of commitment by the Zimbabwean Government to sincerely engage Diasporans to coin a viably sustainable trade and investment partnership. Approximately 150 Zimbabwean Diasporans and stakeholders are expected. "The event is being organised in response to the overwhelming enthusiasm and support for the event received from Zimbabwe's Diasporas. "The event is also a reflection of the MOFAIT's commitment to actively engage the Zimbabwe Diaspora on matters that affect their interest in the context of the economic growth and development of Zimbabwe. "The event will be hosted in a hybrid format which will see the physical and virtual participation of approximately 150 Diasporans and a host of stakeholders in investment, trade, real estate, tertiary education, tourism, agriculture, mining, among others," the Embassy said. The main objective of the conference is to provide information on investment opportunities, incentives, and operating environment in the country as well as creating the best avenues for accessing export markets. "Leverage networking opportunities between our Diasporans, local industries, and communities with the goal of building strategic and sustainable trade and investment partnerships. "Create a platform for constructive engagements between the Government and Zimbabwe Diasporans in areas of mutual concern," the Embassy said on the other objectives of the conference. Some key discussions expected are around the procedures needed for Diaspora Zimbabweans to acquire land, import donations, and the topical diaspora vote issue. The Embassy also said the Zimbabwe Government will endeavor to assure Government's commitment to encourage Diasporans to fully participate in the country's development process as highlighted in the National Development Strategy One (NDS1). Opportunities for both parties around possible joint ventures, dealerships and distributorship will also be looked at along with community development programmes for sponsorships and partnerships across the country. Donations for philanthropic work will also be a discussion point. Some of the Zimbabwe stakeholders and institutions expected include the Foreign Affairs Ministry itself, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA), Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) and several others. Kwedu Classics Your story our story