But after the formation of the coalition Government of National Unity in 2009, western countries started to lift these measures. Last week the French Embassy in Harare introduced a France-based lubricant company MoTech Africa to the Zimbabwean market.
GC… Are we going to see more of your nationals coming to invest here?
LD… Certainly you are going to see more business delegations coming to Zimbabwe from many different countries. I know that my European colleagues are also organising business delegations, and you will see a lot of individual companies coming, because there is a market here. There is of course economic hardship, there is of course a liquidity crisis, but at the same time there is money in this country. There is a market and there are ample opportunities for companies in very diverse fields and from many different countries to come and do good business.
GC…One of the reasons the European Union cited when you imposed targeted sanctions was the issue of human rights abuses. We hear human rights activists, including the international community saying there are still pockets of such abuse. What has changed now that has attracted you to invest in Zimbabwe?
Progressive and modern
LD… It is the new constitution, which is very progressive and modern. I hope that this constitution will translate into legislation. There is a lot of Zimbabwean legislation that needs to be adapted to the constitution and I understand that the government is presenting bills to parliament to enact that .
Since the inception of the new government of Zimbabwe (in 2013) there has been a very positive message of engagement coming from them. At the same time there has been an undeniable improvement in the situation of human rights. This is most welcome.
GC…But recently we have seen the alleged abduction of human rights activist Itai Dzamara, who is still missing. You have also issued a statement expressing dismay over Dzamara’s whereabouts?
LD… It is now three weeks since the abduction of Itai Dzamara. The day after the abduction I expressed my worry about this very bad development and my hope is that the government will do everything within its power to find Itai, and to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. Let us have confidence in the capacity of the government to protect its citizens.
This of course is a very unwelcome event. I express my solidarity with the family and friends of Itai. I urge the government to get Itai back. Find Itai. Bring him back to his family, to his friends and to his activities.
GC… On the business front has there been any further clarification by the government of the indigenisation laws, which have been viewed by many as a stumbling block to foreign investment?
How does it work?
LD… Zimbabwe has a very particular policy on the indigenisation. It is not the only country in the world with a policy of this sort – whereby companies coming from abroad need to enter into partnerships with local entrepreneurs. What is strange is that apparently this policy is not understood by foreign investors for Zimbabwe. In many other countries, for instance in China, its indigenisation policy does not pose problems to companies. I think the problem is more about perception, about misconceptions, perhaps about difficulties in explaining about how actually this policy works.
We have heard from the mouth of his Excellency the President himself, when he received a French business delegation at the end of January, that there needs to be differentiation between the resource-based sectors of the economy, that is agriculture and mining, and the other sectors where flexibility was going to be introduced in the implementation of this policy. The implementation is now centralised, line ministries are in-charge of the policy. So what entrepreneurs are waiting for is an actual explanation of how this is going to work.
I think that there have been clarifications that have started already and the indigenisation policy -with the new flexibilities that have been introduced – should no longer be a deterrent for foreign investment.
GC… Where do all these developments lead to your relationship with the opposition in Zimbabwe?
Democratic elections
LD… Well, Zimbabwe is working to become a fully-fledged democracy. That is what I think political parties are striving for. There is a strong opposition in Zimbabwe and this opposition was part of government until 2013. It now has to play its role as opposition, it has to play its role in parliament. It has to be able to fully play its role in the communities.
I am hopeful that a fully working democracy will be implemented in Zimbabwe and that the next elections will be fully democratic.
GC… What do you think of the allegations and accusations from Zanu (PF) that western governments do not like President Robert Mugabe?
LD…His Excellency President Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. He was elected once again in 2013 during the elections, which raised questions. All the partners of Zimbabwe had occasions to say what they felt about how the electoral process was conducted. What we are working towards today is helping Zimbabwe work towards the future.
There will be an election in 2018. It is important that all political parties are able to contest this election in a democratic way. It is important for all actors in political life in Zimbabwe to be able to canvas, to express their positions in full compliance with the constitution – which is as you know a very progressive and democratic constitution.
Partners of Zimbabwe do not have to express preferences for any particular party. What is important is that the government is democratically elected, that it respects human rights and the implementation of the constitution, and that it governs the country in a democratic and efficient way for the benefit of all the people. This is what is hoped for by the friends and partners of Zimbabwe.
GC… Mugabe is going to town saying that the coming in of European countries to negotiate business deals like the one we are witnessing here is because that you are now backing down again after realizing that the regime change agenda you were pushing has failed. If you cannot beat them you are now joining them. Are you?
LD… I cannot comment on political declarations, this is not my task here. My task is to fully support the progress of human rights, democracy and good governance in Zimbabwe. That is what I am working for. I am engaging with everyone in Zimbabwe and I feel that everyone wants this country to be peaceful , to be democratic and to enjoy economic development , job creation and growth. That there is sufficient food for everybody. That is why I am working to bring these French companies to invest here – to help growth, development and job creation.
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