Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere in New Delhi, India
A delegation from an Indian firm with diverse economic interests paid a courtesy call on Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga to present its proposal for business opportunities in Zimbabwe.
The meeting came amid observations by the Vice President that trade between India and Zimbabwe does not reflect the excellent relations between the two countries.
A delegation from Rare Tech Projects, a group of companies, seized the opportunity to meet the VP Chiwenga on the sidelines of the 20th India Africa Business Conclave, where they outlined their investment offer and sought assurances for their ventures in Zimbabwe.
The Conclave is part of India’s, the world’s fourth largest economy, initiative to enhance trade and investment with African countries.
India’s companies’ interests come at an opportune moment for Zimbabwe, as the Second Republic, under President Mnangagwa, has opened the economy to investment, which is a key driver of rapid economic development towards becoming an empowered upper-middle-income economy.
After meeting with VP Chiwenga, the company’s managing director, Dr Sandeep Chadha, said their interests are in mining, tourism, health and pharmaceuticals.
“We have many interests specifically in the areas of health, tourism and mining,” said Dr Chadha.
“We talked of our desire to set up a small manufacturing unit for IV fluids, medicines as well as oncology facilities in Zimbabwe. We are also interested in setting up conference and hotel facilities in Victoria Falls.
“We are now at the implementation phase, and we are planning to send a team to Zimbabwe in September to finalise implementation modalities.
“The Vice President and his delegation have agreed to help us set up our business in Zimbabwe.”
Skills Audit and Development Minister Professor Paul Mavima, who was in the meeting, said they have already identified areas of interest and what is left now is implementation.
“They have good potential in all the areas they have presented,” said Prof Mavima.
“Those doing mining have done their homework and have seen the presence of the resource in the Kadoma area.
“The ones that are looking at pharmaceuticals they are interested in IV fluids. Their focus is on cardiovascular and oncology facilities.
“We indicated that we have the required human resources to make their operations a success in all the sectors.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa