Story by Oleen Ndori, International Desk Editor
THE Zimbabwe is Open for Business policy continues to gain traction, with an Indian tech start-up expressing interest in investing US$200 million in the telecommunications sector.
Indian tech owner of UK-based Clear Mobitel Mr Harpal Mann met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the sidelines of King Charles III’s coronation in May last year where discussions centred on possible investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.
A SADC Industrialisation Week tour at Precabe Farm in Kwekwe recently saw Mr Mann reveal his company is angling for private-public partnerships to spread their wings across the SADC region, with US$200 million destined for Zimbabwe.
The Indian investor met with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava in Harare this Wednesday where he outlined his investment aspirations which will have a broader impact on connectivity and the country’s economic growth.
“I am here today visiting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shava, and just wanted to commend the Government of Zimbabwe and all of the ministries for working very closely with us as we are looking into investing into Zimbabwe. His Excellency talked about Zimbabwe being open for business when we first met him at the King’s Coronation in London, my second visit here is an attestation to that mantra that Zimbabwe is really open for business. And, as being a delegate here in SADC, not only do we have a market in Zimbabwe, but for any investor that’s looking to invest into Zimbabwe, there’s a vast market of almost 300 million people in various countries here in the SADC region.
“I think it’s an attestation to the people of Southern Africa and to the people here of Zimbabwe for being very peaceful and looking forward to industrialising this area of the world. So, I am once again very thankful to the Government, to His Excellency the President, and to the people of Zimbabwe for making our commitment to invest here in Zimbabwe possible. We are looking into investing in some of the technologies for 5G and in the ICT sector and we’ve made a commitment that we will be investing of up to and above of US$200 million,” he said.
Clear Mobitel specialises in a wide range of advanced technologies, including cloud computing, IP bandwidth, Internet connectivity, 5G, data centres, the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile broadband, fixed wireless access (FWA), and autonomous vehicles.
Meanwhile, ahead of the 44th SADC Summit, cabinet ministers met and held a training session aimed at equipping them with Diplomatic Protocol.
“Colleagues, as you are well aware, Zimbabwe will host the forty-fourth (44th) Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government from 7 to 19 August 2024, at the New Parliament Building. The Summit will be held under the theme, “Promoting Innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an industrialised SADC”. This SADC Summit is so important to Zimbabwe because His Excellency, President Dr. Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, will assume the Chairmanship of SADC on 17 August 2024. This huge and magnificent event therefore requires the hands of the whole Government on deck. For that reason, the ministry has invited you here to explore into various aspects of protocol, including diplomatic etiquette, ceremonial procedures, and international protocol standards. As Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, we recognise the vital role protocol plays in our diplomatic engagements, international relations, and regional cooperation. Centuries of international relations and diplomatic practice have established rules which smoothen communication between people,” said, Ambassador Fredrick Shava.
Angola will cede chairmanship of the regional body to Zimbabwe, while Tanzania will take over from Zambia as Troika Chair.
[13:06, 07/08/2024] Vovinah: A trial date has been set for Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu who are facing fraud charges after allegedly misappropriating US$7 million from the Presidential Goats Scheme.
The pair’s trial will be heard at the Harare High Court from the 1st to the 4th of October 2024.
