Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
ZIMBABWE’S economy will come under the spotlight in New York on the 20th of this month when the country hosts a high-level Business Forum on the sidelines of the 2026 United Nations General Assembly, a platform expected to showcase trade, investment and tourism opportunities to an international audience.
According to ZimTrade’s recent newsletter, the Zimbabwe Business Forum will bring together local companies, international buyers, investors, financiers and development partners as the country seeks to widen export markets, attract investment and strengthen commercial relations.
The event is being jointly organised by ZimTrade, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
It will run under the theme, “Global Challenges. Zimbabwean Solutions. Shared Prosperity,” and aims to position Zimbabwe as a source of goods, services and investment opportunities at a time when countries and businesses are reviewing supply chains in response to changing global economic conditions.
ZimTrade said the forum comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s profile within the United Nations system has received renewed attention following the country’s election in June this year as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
The organisation said this development provides an additional platform for Zimbabwe to deepen international engagement, with the Business Forum seeking to complement diplomatic visibility with stronger trade and investment relations.
While the country’s participation at the General Assembly will involve high-level diplomatic engagements, the Business Forum will give the private sector an opportunity to pursue commercial discussions with potential partners gathered in New York.
A major focus will be on changes taking place in global supply chains.
Geopolitical tensions, disruptions along major shipping routes, tighter financing conditions and climate-related shocks have encouraged businesses in several markets to diversify their sources of supply.
“The forum will use this changing environment to present Zimbabwe as an alternative supplier in areas where the country has established or emerging production capacity,” said ZimTrade.
One of its three thematic pillars is trade for resilient supply chains, which will focus on the country’s capacity to supply value-added goods and services to international markets.
Targeted sectors include horticulture, processed foods, leather products, manufactured goods, minerals, creative products and professional services.
The programme will also place emphasis on converting interest generated at the forum into business opportunities.
Ahead of the event, organisers will undertake a business linkage and matchmaking programme to identify and profile buyers, investors and trade partners according to their sector interests.
This will allow participating companies to hold targeted engagements with potential buyers, distributors and other commercial partners whose interests correspond with their products and services.
Business-to-business meetings will form an important part of the programme, providing companies with room to discuss supply arrangements, distribution partnerships and other possible transactions.
This structured approach is expected to help businesses move beyond general networking towards engagements centred on specific commercial opportunities.
The trade development body said the forum will also feature dedicated discussions on Zimbabwe’s trade relationship with the United States as part of efforts to identify opportunities for expanding exports into that market.
Zimbabwean agricultural exporters and business process outsourcing companies already operating in the United States are expected to share their experiences, including lessons on market entry and servicing international clients.
Their participation is expected to provide other local businesses with practical insights into market requirements and the opportunities available in different sectors.
