Co-hosted by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, the conference will discuss and examine the business environment in Zimbabwe, the policy direction and options. “The line-up of speakers from the Zimbabwean government, local and international investors will set the scene for the economic direction of Zimbabwe over the next, crucial, twelve months,” Euromoney said in a statement.
Business analysts could also provide a platform for the Zimbabwean government to explain its controversial black economic empowerment plan that many foreign investors and critics fear could yet be another property grab exercise like the chaotic and often violent land reforms implemented by President Robert Mugabe over the past decade. Among those expected to attend the conference are African Development Bank president Donald Kaberuka, Africa Export-Import Bank president Jean-Louis Ekra and Nku Nyembezi-Heita, the chief executive officer of world steel giant ArcelorMittals South African operation.
Lonrho boss Geoffrey White and Aegis Advisory non-executive director Lord Paul Boateng are among other heavyweight names in the business and financial industry expected to attend the conference that will also be attended by President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Organisers say the inaugural investment conference will build on the success of last years Euromoney Zimbabwe Breakfast Briefing in Istanbul at the IMF/World Bank annual meeting. “This event is a must attend event for all those interested in Zimbabwes investment opportunities,” Euromeoney said. Zimbabwes economy is on the path to recovery after a decade turmoil and political strife that only ended when the countrys three main political parties agreed to form unit government in 2009.
The unity government has done well to stabilise the economy and end inflation that was estimated at more than a trillion percent at the height of the countrys economic meltdown in 2008. But the unending squabbles between Mugabe and Tsvangirai over how to share executive power and the administrations inability to secure direct financial support from rich Western nations has hindered efforts to rebuild the economy.
Post published in: Economy