Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday met an investment delegation from Qatar, led by His Highness Sheik Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, which is exploring possible areas of co-operation in various sectors of country’s economy.
Yesterday’s meeting centred on co-operation on various sectors of the economy that include agriculture, particularly beef production, irrigation development and livestock production, among others.
The Qatar based investment delegation under the Al Mansour Holdings is visiting Southern African countries exploring areas of co-operation through public private partnership or private partnership.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu and Attorney General
, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya attended the meeting.
It was also attended by Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive Dr John Mangudya, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr Albert Chimbindi and senior Government officials.
Mutapa Investment Fund, formerly Sovereign Wealth Fund is a state-owned fund established to manage the country’s strategic investments for sustainable economic growth.
The meeting is part of efforts by the Second Republic to pursue diplomatic, economic and strategic co-operation between Harare and the oil-rich Qatar.
The Sheik is a distinguished member of the ruling family of the State of Qatar. His visit will formalise partnerships and initiate key and strategic investment across priority national sectors.
The delegation arrived in the country last week in the resort city of Victoria Falls and were welcomed by Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, marking the beginning of a three-day visit that sought to reshape Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory.
Enhanced co-operation between the two States is expected to lead to a surge in people visiting the two countries thereby increasing trade and people to people relationship.
The 19-member Qatari delegation arrived last week to explore bilateral ties and follows Zimbabwe’s comprehensive business reforms under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa.
The delegation enjoyed a tour of Victoria Falls led by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, a visit that was hailed as a significant step towards attracting substantial foreign direct investment.
Minister Rwodzi has said the visit was an indication of the strong relationship between the two governments.
“I would like to say that this visit is an indication of all the good relationships between the two Governments,” she said earlier.
“The discussions that we had and the interest that they have in investing in our country, and in the tourism sector, and coming to our tourism capital, Victoria Falls, also indicates that they have so much interest in putting their money in our country’s tourism infrastructure, and we are glad to have them.”
Minister Rwodzi highlighted that a visit by a member of a royal family is the ultimate endorsement of a country’s safety and appeal.
“If the Head of State, or if anyone from the royal family is visiting a destination, it means the destination is safe, the destination is peaceful, the destination is worth visiting,” she said.
Ambassador Mahomed Jassat, the director of public relations and chief adviser to His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour, also spoke highly of the country’s potential, calling Zimbabwe “the best country in the world.”
Mansour Holdings chairperson and adviser to His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour, Nidal Ammache, also expressed his appreciation for the country.
“Actually, it is my fourth time in Zimbabwe and first time in Victoria Falls. It is definitely quite a great experience,” he said.
The visit by Sheikh Mansour has cast the spotlight on Zimbabwe’s tourism offerings, with the two nations expected to explore areas of co-operation in various fields.
