2016’s first business delegation jets in

A HIGH powered Chinese delegation is expected in the country this week to explore opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, energy and manufacturing sectors.
This makes them the first team to seek investments in Zimbabwe this year.
The team comprises members of the People’s Bank of China, Communist Party of China, Qingdao Overseas Investment Centre and Qingdao Bureau of Commerce.
The visit comes hardly a month after Chinese President, XI Jinping’s state visit which marked the highest level of engagement between Harare and Beijing.
President Mugabe visited China in August 2014 while Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa visited Qingdao City in July last year.
Last week, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Dr Desire Sibanda told The Sunday Mail that the Chinese delegation will be in the country to scout investment opportunities and further cooperation between the two republics.
Dr Sibanda said his ministry will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Qingdao to cement the investment and economic cooperation.
“They (the Chinese) have requested to work with us on economic and investment exchange programmes which will include cooperation on Special Economic Zones, financing models for bankable projects, staff development programmes, exchange visits to China and Zimbabwe,” he said.
Such cooperation is in line with the Look East policy which was adopted by Zimbabwe more than a decade ago.
“In future, Qingdao City will also enter into some twinning arrangement with Harare and Bulawayo.”
Dr Sibanda said the Government has scheduled a Qingdao investment conference for this Tuesday.
The conference, which will deliberate on policy, regulatory and legal aspects of investments in the country, is expected to attract parastatals, Government departments and the private sector.
Dr Sibanda said the visit will ensure that deals are cemented for the mutual benefit of businesses from the two countries.
“We are going to present reforms being undertaken to improve the ease of doing business in the country.”
An official from the Chinese embassy in Harare confirmed the visit to The Sunday Mail but could not be drawn into revealing further details.
“I am aware of a Chinese delegation that will be in the country, but I think you need to talk to your Ministry of Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion,” said the official who preferred anonymity.