Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
THE Zimbabwe Pavilion at the ongoing Expo 2025 Osaka is drawing significant attention, with preparations at an advanced stage for the country’s National Day and Business Forum scheduled for 15 and 16 July.
The pavilion has become a major attraction at the global event, having welcomed over half a million visitors keen to experience Zimbabwe’s famed star attractions through an immersive virtual reality tour.
Speaking on preparations, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Japan, Stewart Nyakotyo, confirmed that plans for both the National Day and Business Forum are progressing smoothly.
“The Business Forum is being organised by ZimTrade in partnership with ZIDA and on the Japanese side, we are working with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), which is their equivalent of ZimTrade. Preparations are now quite advanced, and invitations have already been sent to Japanese companies and institutions.
“At the Forum, we will showcase investment and trade opportunities, with a special focus on mining, tourism, and agriculture. As for the National Day, it is a date set aside specifically for Zimbabwe, a day of honour for our country here in Japan and at the Expo. It is a moment to highlight Zimbabwe’s potential across sectors like investment, tourism, manufacturing and mining. More than that, it is a day to celebrate and share our vibrant culture with the Japanese people,” he said.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Permanent Secretary, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, said the number of visitors to the Zimbabwe Pavilion is encouraging. The ministry hopes to capitalise on this momentum to boost tourist arrivals into the country.
“We have now surpassed the half-a-million mark in visitor numbers, both at the pavilion and at our tourism booth, which we have been running for two weeks. This is very encouraging for us as a destination. We must harness the potential this market offers, tourism can be our gateway into the Japanese market, particularly in terms of investment.
“That is why our presence here is so important. Let’s continue to consolidate our presence in this market, and we certainly look forward to participating in future World Expos, as they offer tremendous opportunities that we must continue to tap into,” Dr Munyanyiwa said.
“A total of 161 countries and international organizations are showcasing at the ongoing Expo 2025 Osaka, which runs until October this year.”
