More talks on finance strategies

structured financing conference to explore strategies and opportunities for financing trade and investment projects in Zimbabwe.
The conference, scheduled for Bulawayo on May 3, is targeted at participants from the Sadc and Comesa regions and will run on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
DEAT Capital chief executive Mr Nicky Moyo said the conference would give an overview of the country’s business environment to foreign companies intending to do business in Zimbabwe.
Focus would also be on financing cross-border
trade and investment, which has always been a challenge.
“We have to address financing problems because one major consideration by capital providers is how the project promoters propose to manage the various aspects of the project risks,” said Mr Moyo.
“This may adversely affect the projects ability to generate cash flow to service bank loans or pay dividends to investors.”
He added that performance bonds could guarantee funding and the various types of insurance were also critical tools used to minimise risks to a level when it is comfortable for the financier to fund the trade transaction or a major project development.
“The business talk would share insights with case studies on how tools like insurance have been used as a critical component in successful cross-border trade and project investment,” said Mr Moyo.
High-profile speakers locally and regionally have confirmed participation.
Mr Tony Ledele, business development director, Rand Merchant Bank South Africa, Mr Terry Makhabele Export Credit Insurance Corporation, South Africa; Mr Mudunwazi Baloyi, general manager Trade and Investment Promotion, Gauteng Province; and Mr Gift Simwaka, regional manager, Africa Export and Import Bank; are some of the speakers expected at the conference.
Investment conferences in Zimbabwe are taking place at a time when the country has been called “the last growth frontier” in Africa.
Foreign investors have continued to show interest to invest – given Zimbabwe’s vast opportunities.
The inclusive Government has also brought about political stability and huge investor interest.
However, the private sector has been recognised as key to contributing to economic recovery and growth and shortage of capital, compounded by inadequate investment climate, continues to constrain economic recovery.
Where capital is available, investors and financiers still perceive Zimbabwe to have high sovereign risk, which further curtails trade and investment.
Infrastructure backlog – power, roads, rail, water and telecommunications – estimated at US$20 billion continue to constrain private sector activity.