Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S private sector footprint on the international stage reached a major milestone yesterday as a local company represented the country at the inaugural Asia edition of the CNN International Global Perspectives summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
The high-level, invitation-only economic gathering was convened at The Ritz-Carlton alongside the ongoing annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group.
Craft Properties Holdings founder and group chief executive officer Professor Kudakwashe Taruberekera, accompanied by the group’s operations director, Mrs Yeukai Taruberekera, joined world leaders, central bank governors, global financial executives, and technology innovators to discuss global economic transformation, geopolitical shifts, and sustainable development.
Speaking from Bangkok, Prof Taruberekera described the summit as a pivotal moment for Zimbabwean commerce and investment promotion.
“Yesterday, history was made for Zimbabwe. We stood at the table where global economic decisions are made, representing our nation and carrying the message that Zimbabwe is open for business,” said Prof Taruberekera.
“From our humble beginnings in Kadoma, our presence here demonstrates that African enterprises built on integrity, vision and excellence can compete on the highest global platforms.”
The CNN Global Perspectives summit brought together leading voices across finance, media and technology.
Discussions on stage were led by prominent CNN anchors — including Ellana Lee, Richard Quest, Kristie Lu Stout, Will Ripley, Hanako Montgomery and Dr Sanjay Gupta — and featured global figures such as Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, World Trade Organisation Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Bank of Korea Governor Hyun Song Shin and Bank of America International President Bernard Mensah.
Senior executives from tech and business giants such as Grab, Trip.com, OpenAI and DBS Group were also in attendance.
Deliberations centred on key themes including trust in global markets, emerging technology and governance, green energy transition, smart urban planning and artificial intelligence.
Prof Taruberekera highlighted that Craft Properties Holdings leveraged the platform to engage international investors on Zimbabwe’s rich economic potential spanning agriculture, renewable energy, housing and mining.
“Zimbabwe remains a prime destination for global capital, possessing vast mineral resources, fertile agricultural land, strategic position and an educated, youthful population. Our mission in Bangkok was threefold: to champion Zimbabwe as a top investment destination, to learn and import cutting-edge solutions in green housing, prop-tech and renewable energy, and to demonstrate the calibre of African business leadership,” he said.
Founded in Kadoma in 2008, Craft Properties Holdings has grown over the past 18 years from a localised property developer into a Pan-African entity with operations extending across Southern Africa.
The group now operates registered entities in Zambia, Namibia, and South Africa, alongside its newest security technology division in Zimbabwe, Never Sleep Security (Pvt) Ltd.
The group’s ongoing flagship developments in Zimbabwe include the Holyland residential project and the Greenfield Cherries Agro-Residential development along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
The company has maintained a global footprint since 2019, when it registered as an official vendor with the United Nations in New York, consistently participating in international UN trade and development forums.
It also maintains regular engagement at the Dubai Global Energy and AI conferences in the United Arab Emirates.
