Zimbabwe Government & Business Delegation The Commonwealth Business Council is to step up its relationship with the Republic of Zimbabwe, aiming to set up a business task group and support the economic development of the country through investment promotion activities.

This was the message from CBC Director-General Dr Mohan Kaul at a high-level business breakfast and workshop organised for a Ministerial delegation from Zimbabwe in London on 22 September and attended by representatives of multinational and other leading companies in the mining, banking and industrial sectors.

Led by Dr Tapiwa Mashakada, Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion and Gorden Moyo, Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals, the mission’s objective was to persuade UK-based investors that Zimbabwe was back in business after a long period of economic decline. Ministers pointed to the country’s return to high economic growth and soaring export figures to urge international companies to take a position in the market.

UK Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Green gave a British perspective to the high-level meeting which was chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Boateng, former UK Cabinet Minister and subsequently British High Commissioner to South Africa.

Contributions from the private sector opened with an introduction from Douglas Chikohora, CEO of London-based Cluff Africa Associates, sponsors of the event, currently resuming operations in Zimbabwe after a long absence. The workshop also included presentations from Mr Never Nyemudzo, Chief Operating Officer of Zimbabwe’s biggest bank, CBZ and Mr Sean Gammon, Managing Director of the Harare-based Imara Group.

An important priority for the Ministers was to give reassurances over the economic reform process in Zimbabwe and to address concerns over the controversial indigenisation law.

The CBC has hosted Zimbabwean Finance Minister Tendayi Biti and Welshman Ncube, Minister of Trade and Industry at their annual Africa Business Forum in London. “Today’s event is a further important step in the same direction,” said Dr Kaul.

Downloadable Materials

Hon G. MOYO, Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals, Zimbabwe's Speech