Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu has said the province’s hybrid diaspora investment conference in July will provide an opportunity to tap into business opportunities through engagements with diasporans.
The flow of remittances to Zimbabwe is huge, with diaspora remittances from outside the country estimated at over US$1 billion per annum, or around 16 percent of total foreign exchange receipts.
Addressing journalists during a Press conference on Monday, Dr Ndlovu urged diasporans to invest part of their remittances in Matabeleland South Province for mutual beneficiation.
The conference, which is set for Beitbridge from 4 to 6 July will run under the theme “Matabeleland South Province — Unlocking New Investment Frontiers through Diaspora Community Engagement”.
It will create a platform for dialogue to unlock investment opportunities within the province and enhance diaspora participation in national development.
The event is in line with the country’s devolution agenda of ensuring that provinces become dynamic economic hubs that attract investments.
It will be held in a hybrid format allowing for both physical and virtual participation by the Zimbabwean diaspora community, local business community and policymakers, among other stakeholders in various sectors of investment.
“The conference seeks to unveil investment opportunities in the province that are ready for uptake by the diaspora and potential investors, building on the momentum set by the National Diaspora Investment Conference held in Masvingo,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“It also seeks to deepen diaspora engagement and dialogue between the province and investment stakeholders.”
Dr Ndlovu said the conference will provide a platform to address challenges that impede diaspora uptake of opportunities available in Matabeleland South.
“It will also provide a platform for the diaspora to engage the provincial authorities on initiatives that would spur innovation, economic growth and development in Matabeleland South Province,” she said.
Dr Ndlovu said the investment conference will result in an improved sustainable business linkage in areas of mutual beneficiation and increased value-chain addition to endowments in the province through envisaged investments.
“The conference will also lead to increased provincial economic performance resulting in the growth of the province’s Gross Domestic Product. Other outcomes of the investment conference include improved technologies and efficient transformative models for endowment beneficiation in the province and accelerated revenue generation for various players including local authorities,” she said.
“The engagement will also lead to improved provincial livelihoods in line with National Development Strategy 1 aspirations. We wish to dialogue with our anticipated audience about vast investment opportunities in tourism in such places as Tshipise Hot Springs, Zhovhe Leisure Park and citrus plantations in Beitbridge.”
The province is also home to tourist attractions such as Diana’s Pool, Lumene Falls in Umzingwane District and Jabulani Safaris in Insiza District as well as gold, lithium and other minerals.
“As we host our delegates, we assure them of the serene and attractive environment within the conference venue. Those who will physically attend the conference will be taken around so that they can also explore other opportunities as well as the beauty of our province,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“I would like to urge diasporans, the local business community as well as other stakeholders to participate in the novel hybrid conference as part of a corroborated effort in the journey towards a prosperous and empowered upper middle society by 2030.”
Dr Ndlovu said the conference resonates with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy “Zimbabwe is open for business.” — @DubeMatutu
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