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Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE French business delegation that was in the country last week has expressed interest in tapping investment opportunities in four strategic sectors of the economy, the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) said.
The high powered delegation made up of 10 French companies came under the banner of MEDEF International, which is a non-profit private-funded organisation with a membership of 800,000 companies representing the French private sector at an international level.
The team was on a mission to scout for investment opportunities and met President Mugabe, senior government officials, captains of industry and representatives from different economic groupings in the country.
ZIA public relations manager, Nickson Kanyemba, yesterday said his organisation had a fruitful engagement with the French team, which was keen to exploit opportunities in the medium to long term projects.
“The delegation expressed great interest in energy and power projects, infrastructure, agro-processing and tourism sectors. They also wanted to get full appreciation of the investment requirements and procedures in the country,” said Kanyemba.
“The delegation was a high powered one. It has a $100 billion capital base seeking to be invested in different sectors. We’re not yet sure when they’ll invest as you know investing is a process.
“However, they’ve taken the first step of visiting Zimbabwe to get details on the investment opportunities in the country. As ZIA we’re happy and optimistic of the French investments.”
Kanyemba said plans were underway to send local members of the business community to France to facilitate an appreciation of the business operations in the country.
“The delegation suggested that we send some members of the business community to France in a bid to allow interaction between the two countries’ business leaders. We’re organising logistics on that as ZIA, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI),” he said.
Kanyemba also said his organisation hosted a delegation from Iran recently, which sought to discover investment opportunities in different economic sectors.
Among representatives from French companies were leaders from Bureau Veritas, a quality inspection firm, which is expected to start operating in the country during the first quarter.
The company would work with the government in curbing the influx of cheap imports through inspection of goods entering the country.
Eiffage Travaux Publics, a company involved in all fields of road and rail construction, civil engineering, sanitation and environment earthworks, was also represented.
France is one of the countries that CZI visited early last year to amplify the government re-engagement efforts with the European Union.
Online Reporter