HARARE Zimbabwe is bidding to host the 2010 edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) as the country intensifies a campaign to rebuild an image pummelled by a decade of operating in the political and economic wilderness. (Pictured:Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara)Zimbabwes bid was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, Finance Minister Tendai Biti and banker Nigel Chanakira during the recent WEF summit held in Cape Town. According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, the Zimbabwean trio asked WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab to consider Zimbabwe as a venue for 2010 summit.
The (WEF) executive chairman indicated that he was going to consider the proposal and that a decision would be made by September 2009 prior to the January 2010 World Economic Forum in Davos, the statement said.
Zimbabwe will be competing against Kenya and Tanzania for the right to host the annual meeting of top business and political leaders from Africa and the rest of the world.
Landing the summit could prove to be just what the doctor ordered for the southern African country still smarting from a political and economic crisis blamed on mismanagement, greed and wanton disregard for the rule of law.
Once the breadbasket of southern Africa, Zimbabwe is desperately trying to rebuild its economy and winning over a sceptical international community is half the battle won.
Rich Western nations and investors have remained skittish about investing in Zimbabwes economic recovery despite assurances by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and other members of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) that the political and economic tide has changed in Harare.
Tsvangirai returned empty-handed last week from a three-week tour of Europe and the United States amid fears by the rich nations that President Robert Mugabe had not reformed enough to let foreign investors operate freely.
An unrepentant Mugabe continues to insist that his controversial land reform programme is not reversal and has threatened to nationalise foreign-owned mines in a move meant to reward his most loyal lieutenants who have stood by him during the past decade.
The MDC agreed to join Mugabe in a coalition government in February, ending hostilities between the two Zimbabwean politicians dating back to 1998.
Schwab has agreed to organise a delegation of at least 30 investors to visit Zimbabwe in the near future for an assessment.
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