adminA SWEDISH delegation comprising companies from information and communications technology (ICT) industries is expected to visit Zimbabwe early September to assess investment opportunities.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Supa Mandiwanzira, the Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Lars Ronnas said the delegation is expected to visit the country to explore areas of interest in the Special Economic Zones, which the government has allocated the ICT industries in the Sunway City Industrial Park.
“I’ve received the ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe in his quest to look for areas of investment between the two countries in the ICT sector. We’ve agreed that as early as September we’ll receive a delegation of executives from big ICT companies in Sweden coming to visit Zimbabwe and match them with our big ICT companies so that they can explore areas of investment and cooperation,” he said.
The government, through its strategy of creating Special Economic Zones to attract investment, has allocated 74 hectares of land in the Sunway City to the ICT sector to develop the sector through building an ICT Park.
“Zimbabwe is moving aggressively towards the creation of Special Economic Zones and the government has allocated 74 hectares in the Sunway City for a technology park where we need to attract investment in technology industries through companies such as Ericson from Sweden.
“Out of the 1,500 hectares Special Economic Zone industrial park, 74 hectares has been reserved for technology companies, those who want to set up manufacturing or assembling plants. We would also want to encourage Swedish companies to look at this opportunity,” he said.
He added that most mobile networks which started in this country started on the back of Swedish technology, Ericson was a major supplier and continues to be active in the market.
Said the minister: “There is excitement looking at areas of co-operation and this is what we were looking for between Europe and Zimbabwe and Sweden and
Zimbabwe specifically to look at things which benefit our countries, our people than to look at things which separate us.”
He added that the visit by the Swedish delegation will create an opportunity for interaction with local companies and the government arms such as the Zimbabwe Investment Authority, which facilitates investments.
Speaking during the same event Ronnas said Sweden is keen to work with Zimbabwe in doing business.
“Zimbabwe and Sweden relations date back to the political struggle and those relations can be strengthened through business,” he said. — BH24
Online Reporter