President meets Toyota officials in Japan

Debra Matabvu in Osaka, Japan

President Mnangagwa today met a high level delegation from Toyota Tsusho, with representatives of the automobile company outlining their intentions of expanding business operations in Zimbabwe.

The Toyota Tsusho delegation was led by Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Strategy Officer, Mr Kohei Okada.

Toyota Tsusho already operates in Zimbabwe and provides a range of services and products, primarily through its subsidiary, Toyota Zimbabwe, which is the official distributor of new Toyota vehicles and Hino trucks, along with genuine Toyota and Hino parts.

Speaking after the closed door meeting, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube said the company seeks to expand its business operations in Zimbabwe by venturing into semi manufacturing of buses, upgrading Toyota vehicles used in mass transportation and providing fully equipped ambulances.

Professor Ncube said the Government is working on arrangements to ensure that the company ventures into manufacturing in Zimbabwe.

“They are already in Zimbabwe, they have been there for quite a while,” he said.

“So they are in mobility, but we are keen to make sure that they diversify into manufacturing locally.”