Zim business opportunities charm Japanese delegation

The 16-member business delegation of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) that has been on an exploratory mission in Zimbabwe has expressed satisfaction with the business environment and investment opportunities in the country.

The business delegation led by South Africa Executive Director and Head of Africa Region met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare and expressed willingness to come and invest in the country.

The delegation has been in the country holding meetings with several stakeholders and the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Dr John Mangudya.

President Mnangagwa told the delegation that Zimbabwe has already invited global players to bring their money to Zimbabwe through various investment opportunities that exist in different sectors of the economy, adding that the time to invest is now.

The second republic has embarked on the implementation of different economic reform measures that saw the government amending the Indigenisation Act to make it more investor friendly.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Sibusiso Moyo says there is need for the country to return to previous numbers and volumes at which Japanese companies used to operate in Zimbabwe.

Addressing the visiting Japanese business delegation during a closed door session at the Munhumutapa offices, Minister Moyo said more Japanese investors are good for the country.

For the past two decades, Zimbabwe has faced many challenging times due to economic hardships created by sanctions with many companies closing shop in the country as they listened to their countries of origin or listened to the negative publicity by hostile anti-Zimbabwe forces.

The coming of the Japanese delegation in Zimbabwe this week is a welcome move for the country, which is embarking on a drive to rebuild and revamp the economy under its ‘open for business’ mantra.

“I am encouraged by the fact that Japan continues to stand with Zimbabwe even during difficult times. Yes there are false reports that depict Zimbabwe as unsafe, but those who have been in the country know that Zimbabwe is safe and secure for both foreign and local businesses.

I therefore encourage the Japanese business sector to remain relentless in finding trade and investment partners. We have many sectors which they can scout and we are saying Zimbabwe is open for business,” the Minister said.

He also paid tribute to JETRO for showing confidence in the new political dispensation in Zimbabwe which is working to attain a middle income economy by 2030.