Zim, Sweden talk ICT investment

A delegation of Swedish business people is expected in Zimbabwe in September this year to explore areas of investment and co-operation in the information, communication and technology sector, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.

Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira told journalists soon after meeting Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe Lars Ronnas that Zimbabwe stood to benefit from Sweden, one of the most highly ranked countries in ICT.

“We have agreed that as early as September, we will have a delegation of executives of big ICT companies in Sweden coming to visit Zimbabwe and we will put them together with our own ICT companies here so that they can explore areas of investment and co-operation,” he said.

“Sweden is one of the most highly ranked countries in terms of ICT connectivity and providing service to their population and we have a lot of things to learn from them.

“Most mobile networks in this country started on the back of Swedish technology,” he said.

He said Sweden has been able to craft regulations and policies that allow a balance between commercial viability of operators and Zimbabwe can also do that.

Minister Mandiwanzira

said Swedish companies would also be welcome to invest at the ICT hub at the Sunway City park in Ruwa, about 25 kilometres east of the capital, which is owned by the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe.

“A total of 74 hectares out of 1 500 hectares have been set aside for a technology park and we need to attract investment and huge companies like Ericson of Sweden will obviously be invited to come and look into the opportunities available through the special economic zones,” he said.

He said the meeting with the Swedish envoy had identified areas for further co-operation between Sweden and Zimbabwe.

“There are quite some areas which we have identified which we need to pursue,” he said.

Ambassador Ronnas said Sweden was keen to strengthen co-operation with Zimbabwe in the area of ICTs.

“We have a longstanding relationship between Sweden and Zimbabwe in many fields but not ICTs. This is what we would like to take further,” he said. – Business Reporter/New Ziana.