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Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Cde Webster Shamu, has said.
Cde Shamu said contrary to negative private and international media reports, the enabling political environment in Zimbabwe had seen an increase in the number of people investing in different sectors.
He was speaking during the launch of the re-branded wholesaler, Red Star Holdings, in Harare yesterday, where he also officially opened the company’s Harare and Bulawayo branches.
“Contrary to the widely held misconception about the country, Zimbabwe is a safe, secure and peaceful investment destination,” said Cde Shamu.
Minister Shamu called for the full participation of the corporate world in the implementation of the Government policy on indigenisation and economic empowerment.
“The company (Red Star) has embraced the indigenisation and empowerment policy whose aim is to make the indigenous people participate in the economy as owners of the means of production in commerce and industry, and not as mere passive consumers,” he said.
Cde Shamu said the re-branded Red Star was a welcome development as most retailers in rural and urban areas were failing to adequately fill up stocks due to financial challenges.
“Unscrupulous retailers have tended to take advantage of the state of affairs and set prices at unacceptable levels under the guise of recouping operational costs, while in actual fact making super profits,” he said.
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Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Tapiwa Mashakada said Government was “impressed” with the number of investors coming into the country.
“We are coming from a decade of economic turmoil and it is pleasing to see investors gaining confidence with our country. We are calling on investors to explore business opportunities in the country,” he said.
Red Star Holdings chief executive officer, Mr Ken Sharpe, said his company was ready to work under the Government’s indigenisation laws.
“We have put in place modalities that comply with the Government policy and individual Zimbabweans would benefit from the company,” he said.
Mr Sharpe said the company would roll out 31 stores countrywide in the next two years.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter