Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter
THE Department of Immigration is processing roughly 500 applications for investor and temporary employment permits from Chinese nationals every month, reflecting growing interest from investors from the world’s second-largest economy.
Responding to an inquiry during a recent question-and-answer session in Parliament, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said there are about 25 000 Chinese expatriates presently living and working in Zimbabwe.
Most of the investors are in the mining sector.
“Given the Government’s thrust of attracting investment, captured in His Excellency the President’s mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’, the country received quite a number of investors from all over the world, including China.
“These are vetted and issued with permits, in line with laws and regulations governing the investments,” said Minister Kazembe.
“On average, the Department of Immigration receives about 50 applications for investor permits and 445 temporal employment permit applications from Chinese nationals per month.
“All these applications, like those of other nationals, are processed on the basis of authentic travel and identity documents.
“Any anomalies require verification of the documents with respective embassies.
“In the case of Chinese nationals, we are satisfied as the ministry with the cooperation we receive from the Chinese Embassy.”
Those found to be ineligible to stay in Zimbabwe, he said, are asked to leave the country.
Minister Kazembe said the Department of Immigration is also currently implementing a new online border management system, which makes it possible to account for all foreign nationals residing in the country.
“However, if there are any foreign nationals who are in the country without genuine documents, members (of the National Assembly) are free to come forward and inform us and appropriate action will be taken.”
In recent years, investments from China, particularly in mining, infrastructure and energy, have led to job creation and improved Government revenues, among other benefits.
Online Reporter