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Bianca Mlilo, Business Reporter
THE Ministry of Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion has postponed a business trip to China after receiving an overwhelming response from all provinces.
The trip has been pushed from July to early September.
In Bulawayo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Eunice Sandi Moyo’s office had availed 15 slots for business people willing to travel to China only to receive more than 100 applications. The delegation is going to survey potential investment opportunities in China.
Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister, Dr Obert Mpofu, will lead the business delegation.
“The China delegation will now travel early next month (September),” said an official who cannot be named due to protocol.
The delegation will comprise officials from various local authorities, provincial ministers, as well as members of the business fraternity.
The visit will provide a platform for the ministers, public and private sector players to interact and share ideas and experiences on Special Economic Zones. It will also provide an opportunity for business to business interface between Qingdao companies and their Zimbabwean counterparts.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce-led trade trip to South Africa has been postponed to a yet-to-be advised date.
The trip was postponed due to technicalities that need to be addressed first before leaving.
It had initially been slated for July 18-22, 2016.
The Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Chiratidzo Mabuwa, is expected to lead the delegation that comprises executives from the manufacturing, mining, infrastructure, tourism and services sectors.
“The trip to South Africa is still on but it was rescheduled due to health reasons after I travelled excessively. Also, I don’t have a counterpart. The person who was supposed to host us was one of the mayoral candidates (in the just-ended South African municipal elections),” said Minister Mabuwa.
The objectives of the mission will be to scout for joint venture partnerships, credit lines as well as find markets for Zimbabwean products in South Africa.
South Africa is Zimbabwe’s major trade and investment partner with the two countries enjoying cordial bilateral relations that date back to the pre-independence period.
In June another trade delegation also led by Minister Mabuwa went to Japan to cement business and investment relations. They also invited Japanese companies to explore business opportunities in Zimbabwe.
@BiancaMlilo.
Online Reporter