We are still in the Tribunal-Tsvangirai

Addressing investors who gathered at the last day of the two day long mining indaba held at Rainbow Towers in the capital on Thursday Tsvangirai said Zimbabwe presented the most opportune time for investors especially given the current political climate in the country as a result of the Government of National Unity.

Answering a question from a potential investor as to why the government has failed to honor the SADC tribunal ruling on the country’s controversial land issue and its subsequent pull-out from the Tribunal. Prime Minister Tsvangirai said the decision had not been made by government but by an individual.

“It was a comment made by an individual cabinet Minister and not the government that made the pull-out announcement and to that end I’m glad to tell you that Zimbabwe is still a member of the Tribunal,” said the Prime Minister

Tsvangirai said that cabinet had deliberated on the signing of the bilateral investment treaty with South Africa adding that the cabinet had recommended that the team working on the treaty to conclude it as soon as possible. “If we don’t sign the treaty with South Africa, then who else are we going to sign with?. It (the signing) may be delayed but it is not out” he said.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai was answering a question from another South African based investor as to what is causing the delay in the signing of the bilateral treaty between the two countries

Prime Minister Tsvangirai indicated that it was the duty of the government to asses the possible implications that the court ruling has the local people as well as the government.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai however assured investors that the government is committed to create conducive environment for investment despite some efforts by other government officials to disrupt progress in the coalition government.

“Despite the frustrations involved in the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement I’m committed to seeing it work and seeing the nation benefit from the greater stability and freedoms. The process of change is irreversible,” he said.