A round table meeting on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities for Nepalese in Zimbabwe has been hosted by the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) on the occasion of visit of the Ambassador Republic of Zimbabwe to India HE Mr. Maxwell Ranga in Kathmandu.

 

Mr. Pawan Kumar Agrawal, Managing Director of Nepal Overseas Co. Pvt. Ltd. In his welcome remarks highlighted the similarities between Nepal and Zimbabwe stating both countries are landlocked, agriculture based and rich in natural resources. He said that Nepalese can explore business in different sectors like mining, agriculture and tourism industry. He said that the ambassador’s visit will enhance the bilateral relations between Nepal and Zimbabwe.

 

H.E. Mr. Maxwell Ranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to India delivered the key note speech. He talked about the opportunities of investment in Zimbabwe. He said that Zimbabwe is a country of unlimited resources and is centre of the most of the African countries and is well connected to all of them. He highlighted the sectoral opportunities of investment Zimbabwe mining, manufacture, agro-based industries, meat processing, chemical manufacture, hydropower and renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure development, health and pharmaceuticals, transport, ICT, tourism etc.

 

Ambassador Ranga said that mining is the most attractive investment in Zimbabwe. With the change in policy of investment in mining now investors can invest 100% equity in all types of mining except gold and diamond. Recently lithium has been discovered in Zimbabwe which makes this sector more attractive to the investors. He also said the Zimbabwe is looking for investors in manufacturing sectors like textile and in agriculture sector like production of tobacco which is one of best in the world and corn. He assured that Zimbabwe is safe destiny for investors and offers incentives to the investors. The government is planning come up Special Economic Zone where the investors can do business without any obstacle.

 

He shared the bitter past of Zimbabwe when colonized by British and the sanctions by the Europeans. Now, we started growing in our own with the help of Eastern countries like China, India, Russia breaking the isolationism. He concluded his speech by urging the investors of Nepal to come and invest in Zimbabwe.

 

In special remarks, Former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Mr. Ganesh Shah said that Zimbabwe has the comparative advantage in mining with the discovery of Lithium. He said that Nepal and Zimbabwe can collaborate in three most important sectors mining, tourism and energy specifically renewable energy. He said that these kinds of meetings which are also called track II diplomacy are today’s priority which strengthens people to people relations.

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Sunil KC, CEO of Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) said that AIDIA have been facilitating these kinds of meetings between the business community of Nepal and different foreign diplomatic missions which will help to strengthen the trade, business and investment activities between the countries.