Peter Tanyanyiwa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe’s drive to position its enterprises on the global stage received fresh impetus this week as a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development engaged international partners at the International Business Contact Forum in Brest, Belarus.
The forum, held under the theme “First Region: Territory of Success,” has drawn participants from across Africa, Asia and Europe, providing a strategic platform for countries to strengthen economic cooperation, foster innovation and unlock investment opportunities.
Leading Zimbabwe’s engagements, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Deputy Minister, Kiven Mutimbanyoka, said the country’s participation reflects its growing ambition to integrate into global value chains while advancing inclusive economic development anchored on women and small to medium enterprises.
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Deputy Minister Mutimbanyoka described the engagements as “both inspiring and transformative,” noting the warm reception and openness of international partners.
“Standing on this global platform, we carry with us the ambition, resilience and promise of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The interactions we are having here in Brest are not merely symbolic, they are practical engagements aimed at translating cooperation into tangible investment projects that benefit our people.”
He emphasised that Zimbabwe’s economic diplomacy thrust is increasingly focused on empowering women and SMEs as critical drivers of growth, innovation and employment creation.
“Our ministry is deliberate in ensuring that women entrepreneurs and community-based enterprises are not left behind in global economic processes,” said Deputy Minister Mutimbanyoka.
“We are building bridges that link Zimbabwean businesses to international markets, while also bringing back knowledge, technology and partnerships that will modernise our domestic industries.”
The Deputy Minister noted that the forum had created an enabling environment for knowledge exchange and enterprise networking, with Zimbabwean delegates engaging in business-to-business discussions, policy dialogues and sector-specific collaborations.
“I am impressed by the reception and the people we have met here,” he added.
“Their friendliness and openness have enriched our engagements. Every conversation has challenged us to rethink how we can improve our own systems, particularly in how we support our entrepreneurs and interact with our markets.”
He said Zimbabwe stands to benefit from Belarus’ industrial expertise, particularly in manufacturing, agro-processing and value addition, areas that align with the country’s Vision 2030 agenda of becoming an upper middle-income economy.
“Our participation here is not an isolated event, but part of a broader strategy to position Zimbabwe as a competitive and reliable investment destination,” Deputy Minister Mutimbanyoka said.
“We are here to build lasting partnerships that will catalyse new industries, strengthen our SMEs and expand opportunities for women across all sectors.”
The ministry’s presence at the forum also underscores the Government’s commitment to community development through inclusive policies that empower grassroots enterprises and promote equitable economic participation.
Analysts say Zimbabwe’s engagement in such international platforms is key to unlocking financing, expanding export markets and fostering innovation, particularly for SMEs that often face barriers to global entry.
As discussions continue in Brest, Zimbabwe’s delegation remains optimistic that the relationships forged will translate into concrete projects that enhance productivity, create jobs and accelerate national development.
“Our message is clear,” said Deputy Minister Mutimbanyoka. “Zimbabwe is open for business, ready to collaborate and determined to rise. The world is our partner, and our time is now.”
Online Reporter