President to lead Zimbabwe Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to lead Zimbabwe’s investment and trade campaign at the height of the six-month global Expo 2025, which kicks off in Osaka, Japan next month.
The platform provides a key opportunity for investment and fostering collaboration with international investors and Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.

Scheduled to run from 13 April to 13 October, Expo 2025 is a global event dedicated to trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

The World Expo, sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions, expects to draw 28,2 million visitors, with business professionals comprising approximately 40 percent of attendees, primarily from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The remaining 60 percent are projected to be tourists.

Zimbabwe will participate under the theme: “Beyond Limits,” aiming to draw at least three million visitors to its strategically located pavilion.

The theme of the expo is a clarion call on Zimbabwe to maximise its potential while leveraging on the opportunities arising from the interconnected world where synergies are the lynchpin of a global society.

With the Second Republic’s focus on economic diplomacy and export-led growth, Expo 2025 offers a prime opportunity to strengthen trade ties with Japan and the broader international community.

Zimbabwe also expects to ride on the global platform to market its unlimited tourist attractions, apart from the major drawcard, the majestic Victoria Falls.

The event is also seen as a critical platform to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Expo 2025 Osaka will allow Zimbabwe to present its cultural heritage, economic potential, and investment prospects to a global audience.

This will be a vital opportunity to demonstrate local innovations, attract global investments and forge international partnerships, thereby driving economic growth and enhancing Zimbabwe’s global market presence.

In his post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet approved the “Preparations for Expo 2025 Osaka” report, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira.

“The highlights of the six-month-long Expo 2025 programme will include the Zimbabwe National Day to be graced by His Excellency President Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa on the 16th of July 2025,” said Dr Muswere.

“The event will provide a platform to harness investment dividends and other collaborative opportunities, as the President will be engaging both international investors and the Diaspora community in Japan.”

A 12-member delegation led by Commissioner-General, Mr Allan Majuru, who is also ZimTrade chief executive officer, will represent Zimbabwe at this high-profile international event.

Dr Muswere said plans to establish the Zimbabwe Pavilion are well-advanced, with both public and private institutions set to showcase opportunities in tourism, mining, education, innovation and agriculture.

Pavilion construction, commercial space development, and website creation are also underway.
Prof Murwira has emphasised the significance of the event as a unique chance for Zimbabwe to engage with the global community saying preparations are in full swing and a first container with exhibits has already left for Japan.

He said it is a unique opportunity for the country to engage with the outside world.

“We have already engaged the private sector and our preparations are basically for departure and for showcasing at that event.

“It is important to note and be aware that this is an event where we are promoting trade between Zimbabwe and other countries,” he said.

“Therefore, it is in the interest of Zimbabwe in total, basically both the public and the private sector to participate in this event.

“So, I am happy to report that we are working already with the private sector and we will be there from April to the time that it finishes together as Zimbabwe both the public and private sector.

“We are working in three main areas, the area of tourism, the area of investment, the area of trade, and these are the main issues that we’ll be dealing with.”

Recently, Mr Majuru said Zimbabwe would look at various avenues as well as push for increased co-operation with Japan.

“Trade volumes (with Japan) are quite low but as much as it is a challenge, we want to turn that into an opportunity using Osaka,” he said.

“And they have got a lot of interests, especially in the arts and crafts that we want to explore. The reason why the arts and crafts sector is so important to us is the livelihoods that can be changed.”

Through participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai, Zimbabwe garnered several milestones, which include the signing of a US$250 million joint venture agreement between Arda and the NV Group of India to establish a brewery in Masvingo.

Another milestone was the MoU between the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement and the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi, among several other deals initiated during the expo, which are under discussion with respective ministries and institutions.