The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, says joint venture partnerships and identification of key sectors to invest in Zimbabwe are key to the resuscitation of industries and the economy of Zimbabwe. Thabethe was speaking at the Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) business seminar hosted on Thursday in Bulowayo, Zimbabwe.
Thabethe is on her second leg of the fifth Zimbabwe ITI where she is leading a business delegation of twenty-three businesses representing different sectors ranging from mining to Information and Communication Technology.
“South African government has adopted a bilateral strategy for economic engagement with the Government of Zimbabwe as aligned with the partnership strategy we have adopted for the continent,” said Thabethe.
Thabethe said the main objective of this strategy is to achieve mutually beneficial economic growth and development through outward investment facilitation, infrastructure development and trade liberalisation.
“For this reason, the South African government is consistently working towards ever closer collaboration with our partners on the continent for a range of key investment opportunities. It is through these partnerships and collaborative initiatives that the objective to indigenise, develop the economy and create jobs for the people of Zimbabwe will be realised, “added Thabethe.
Thabethe also urged exporters to engage with Zimbabweans companies and to continue forging joint venture partnerships. In his address, the Zimbabwe Deputy Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Mr Noveti Mukonora said Small Enterprises in Zimbabwe are in need of these partnerships to survive and stabilise.
He added that these partnerships can be of mutual benefit to both countries if they are implemented with the support of governments from both countries.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe,departmental spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell : 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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