Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa, who was in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), led from the front in advancing and promoting Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
The President who had a very busy schedule since his arrival in New York on Saturday, held several meetings with American business community, Zimbabwe diasporans living and working in the United States, political leaders as well as leading business executives such as Google Vice President for Research, Technology and Society Mr James Manyika.
At the meetings, President Mnangagwa’s message was consistent — Zimbabwe which is Open for Business, is a friend to all and an enemy to non. Given its abundant natural resources such as minerals, Zimbabwe is an investment destination of choice for investors across the globe including Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
President Mnangagwa has already said diasporans who include doctors, engineers, ICT specialist, bankers, university lecturers and other such professionals, are national assets which the Government is committed to harnessing for collective prosperity.
What is pleasing to note is that Zimbabwe is already witnessing increased investments in different sectors of the economy from its diasporans who are taking advantage of the country’s prevailing macroeconomic stability.
In the past most Zimbabweans living and working abroad used to just remit money to support their families back home but the situation has changed as many of them are now funding investment projects as well.
The strong performance of the local currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) and the sharp inflation drop seems to have excited the diasporans who are now among the country’s leading investors and this is as it should be.
Zimbabwe should be an investment destination of choice to its citizens regardless of where they are based.
At the meeting with the diasporans, President Mnangagwa challenged them to bring home their ideas, expertise, networks, technology, investment, knowledge and experience gained over the years and contribute in building a better Zimbabwe.
In order to ensure the aggressive marketing of Zimbabwe as an investment destination of choice reaches all corners of the globe, Government directed the country’s ambassadors to transform all diplomatic missions into strategic economic hubs that drive trade, investment, tourism and innovation.
The increased investments by diasporans already alluded to are a confirmation that our ambassadors heeded the Government’s call for them to move beyond traditional diplomacy to play a proactive role in advancing national development.
Embassies have also been urged to have an open door policy for Zimbabweans living abroad as they are an integral part of the Zimbabwean family.
Government on its part has made a commitment to develop more concrete models to harness the diasporans’ combined potential as a source of investment capital.
We want, at this juncture, to commend The Second Republic for its resolve to clear all the bottlenecks that in the past have been stifling flow of capital from diasporans.
Government has said the ease of doing business environment will be continuously improved not just for foreign investors but for diasporans wanting to invest back home as well.
