RUTENDO CHIRUME
MASVINGO- The much awaited diaspora investment conference explodes into life on Thursday this week at the magnificent Clevers Lakeview Hotel on the outskirts of Masvingo City.
The historic investment conference which is being held in the ancient city is expected to open up key economic avenues for stakeholders that boost the country’s GDP as the diaspora in set to inject US$2billion in the formal sector.
The Diaspora Investment Conference and Homecoming event will be held at Clevers Lakeview Hotel both physically and virtually from April 11 to 13.
The conference will see industry, captains of industry and innovators coming together to discuss practical ways in which the diaspora can actively participate in the development of the country.
The event will build upon the success of inaugural Diaspora Investment Conference which was held in Bulawayo last year.
This year’s conference will run under the theme ‘Celebrating Diaspora Participation Through a Mutually Beneficial Partnership for National Development and Sustained Economic Growth’.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the conference, Masvingo State Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira said hosting this conference demonstrates the government’s desire to create a conducive platform where Zimbabweans in the diaspora can actively participate in the second republic’s development trajectory.
“The Diaspora Community is an important constituency in the development of the country and hosting of this conference is demonstration of the government’s desire to create avenues through which our citizens abroad, can actively participate in the current development trajectory by investing in productive sectors of the economy.
“As you are aware over the past years our diaspora has been contributing immensely to the development of the economy through financial and social remittances.
“Financial remittances have increased by 13% to a total of US$1.8 billion in 2023 up from US$1,3 billion in 2022,” he said
Chadzmira also indicated that the Conference will dedicate the first two days to business where information will be shared between the Zimbabwean diaspora community and all stakeholders on investment climate whilst the last day is set aside for the official launch of the homecoming event.
Provincial Economic Director, Clever Chingwara told The Midweek Watch that the local business community in the ancient city who wish to attend the conference simply need to fill a form provided online, free of charge.
“For those who want to exhibit there is abundant space and it is available upon payment of a token of partnership which starts at US$50,” said Chingwara.
