Kadoma-based businessman Timothy Chizuzu was part of the Zimbabwean delegation that participated in the International Business Contracts Forum held in Brest, Republic of Belarus from April 28 to 29.
Led by Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development minister, Kiven Mutimbanyoka, the delegation joined global stakeholders at the high-level forum organised by the Belarusian Ministry of Economy.
The event attracted senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, industry leaders, investors, and international business delegations seeking to explore trade and investment opportunities.
Chizuzu, alongside government officials and private sector representatives, used the platform to showcase Zimbabwe’s economic, social, and tourism potential while strengthening bilateral relations with one of Belarus’ key economic regions.
The forum, hosted in Brest, was designed to highlight the region’s economic and industrial capacity while facilitating direct engagement between Belarusian enterprises and international investors.
Ranked third in economic size within Belarus, Brest is a strategic hub for trade, manufacturing, and logistics in Eastern Europe.
Zimbabwe’s participation was coordinated through the Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development ministry, reflecting the government's commitment to positioning small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the centre of the country’s international trade Ministry,
The delegation included both public sector officials and business leaders tasked with promoting Zimbabwe as an investment destination and identifying export opportunities.
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A key outcome of the visit was the inaugural meeting of the Joint Implementation Committee tasked with operationalising the memorandum of understanding between Zimbabwe and Belarus on cooperation in micro, small and medium enterprises development.
The meeting marked a significant step toward translating bilateral agreements into practical initiatives, including knowledge exchange, joint ventures, and SME support frameworks.
Speaking after the forum, Chizuzu described the experience as transformative.
“The International Business Contracts Forum in Brest was an eye-opener,” he said. “Engaging with high-ranking officials, major enterprises, and investors from Belarus highlighted the scale of opportunities available for Zimbabwean businesses.
“We are not just looking at trade, but also technology transfer, joint ventures, and access to Eastern European markets for SMEs.”
He added that the Joint Implementation Committee meeting signalled a shift from policy to action.
“The MoU between our miinistry and Belarus’ Ministry of Economy is now moving from paper to implementation. For businesses in Kadoma and across Zimbabwe, this creates structured support, clearer partnership pathways, and a framework to deliver on potential contracts,” said Chizuzu.
For Zimbabwe, the forum provided more than symbolic representation. Brest’s industrial base and strategic location offer tangible opportunities for Zimbabwean SMEs seeking entry into Eastern European value chains. Discussions centred on areas such as agro-processing, technology transfer, manufacturing, and tourism development.
Under the leadership of Mutimbanyoka, the delegation’s engagement aligns with Zimbabwe’s “Open for Business” policy, aimed at diversifying trade partnerships beyond traditional markets.
By engaging directly with policymakers, investors, and industry leaders in Belarus, Zimbabwe has taken a significant step toward unlocking new trade corridors and strengthening international economic cooperation.
