The National Economic Consultative Conference has already lined up five top local and international business leaders to address its International Business Conference which will run parallel to ZITF 2011.A ZITF spokesperson said this year’s focus was to create an open forum for public and private sector discussion on how to develop and exploit Zimbabwe’s competitive advantage.
This is intended to make Zimbabwe the “Premier Investment Destination”. She said top speakers who had already confirmed their attendance included Ramaphosa, currently working for the Shanduka Group Limited in South Africa, Engineer Josh Chifamba, the new Chief Executive of the struggling Zimbabwe Electricity Authority Holdings Limited, Douglas Mboweni Chief Executive of telecommunications giant, Econet Wireless Holdings Limited, Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank, and Richard Mbaiwa, Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority.
The ZIA recently opened what it said is a One Stop Shop” in Harare to speed up project approvals from about three months to six days after invoice.
Once rated as the largest and most influential gathering of local and international business leaders in Zimbabwe, the annual ZITF is now very mediocre and has been overshadowed by other international events such as the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).
Many foreign exhibitors have pulled the plug on the ZITF saying Zimbabwe is not a good investment destination, has lopsided investment regulations and its government under President Robert Mugabe does not respect property rights, among other problems.
So far no Head of State or Government has agreed to officially open the week-long event. The ZITF Chairman is consultant, Nhlanhla Masuku, Managing Director of USK Marketing and Consultancy (Private) Limited.
Post published in: Economy