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British investors eye Zimbabwe

Business
A 19-member British business delegation is expected in Zimbabwe today to explore investment opportunities in the country.

A 19-member British business delegation is expected in Zimbabwe today to explore investment opportunities in the country.

BY OUR STAFF

This follows a visit last year by another British delegation which saw one of the companies investing in the country’s agricultural sector.

Invest Africa, spokesperson said the new delegation comprises 12 companies from different sectors of the economy.

Invest Africa which is funding the visit, is a club of international investors that have interest in investing in Africa.

The grouping said the 2014 visit was a success as a major investor in agriculture and a first-time visitor to Zimbabwe, saw a window of opportunity.

“. . . and now (the investor) has significant operations on the ground, making a major contribution to long-term employment. We hope to have the same impact this time around,” Invest Africa spokesperson said in a statement.

British ambassador Catriona Laing was delighted by the initiative taken by Invest Africa to organise the investment mission.

“A second mission following soon after the successful UK government sponsored mission in October last year is a signal that there are investment opportunities here in Zimbabwe,” Laing said. “There is need, however, for the government of Zimbabwe to intensify its efforts on investment policy clarification and reforms, matched by good political will to attract more foreign direct investment [FDI]. It is my hope that this will be forthcoming and Zimbabwe will see the benefit that foreign direct investment brings.”

The British embassy said members of the delegation were scheduled to network with senior government ministers, captains of industry and commercial sector leaders where they will gain useful knowledge of the market and engage with potential commercial partners.

The highlight of the International Investor Delegation visit will be the signing of a business deal between a UK business and the Zimbabwe government in an investment initiative that is expected to create jobs.

Invest Africa is a network of 350 members and includes business leaders, fund managers, private investors, family offices, entrepreneurs and policy makers —all with a common interest in Africa.

The club was founded by South African entrepreneur Rob Hersov in 2013.

The country has received various investors from France, China, Russia and Turkey who were still looking at investment opportunities in the country.