adminneeded to demystify the negative perceptions.
In a recent interview, the former president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries said “some” misinformed statements about the country reflected ignorance and stereotype gripping most commentators.
“When you hear people saying Zimbabwe is a failed state and you ask them what are the indications of a failed state, you will see that nothing anywhere close to resembling Zimbabwe,” said Mr Mandiwanza.
“There are not many countries in Southern Africa that have been achieving that kind of growth. The issue is that we have been distorted for too long and we need to have a strategic response to that, which starts at a national level, to say how we could package and present our country. There are so many positives which some international business leaders have no absolute clue about.”
Since the formation of the inclusive Government and the adoption of the multi-currency regime, Zimbabwe has enjoyed strong economic growth, although the robust recovery achieved between 2009 and 2011 slowed down last year. This year, the Government estimated the real gross domestic product would expand by 5 percent and 6,5 percent next year, driven largely by the mining sector.
A number of analysts said the forthcoming national elections could lay the ground for robust growth.
Zimbabwe will hold elections this year to end a four-year coalition government formed in 2009.
Mr Mandiwanza defended the country’s indigenisation and empowerment programme, saying foreign investors should not be scared away by the policy but should consider partnerships with locals.
The policy requires foreign-owned companies to turn over their majority stakes to black Zimbabweans. “We hear simplistic comments around indigenisation,” he said. “But fundamentally speaking, this is a conceptual ideological gap. I do not see anybody in Africa who argues against economic empowerment,” he said.
“The misunderstanding on indigenisation is an issue that needs to be properly presented, forcefully, so that people can understand. We are talking about partnerships and spreading risk.”
Online Reporter