eBusiness Weekly
HARARE – The Indian government is working on strengthening ties with Zimbabwe through increasing co-operation at government level and promoting linkages between the private sectors of the two countries, the Indian ambassador to Harare Rungsung Masakui has said.
In an interview with New Ziana, Masakui said New Delhi was eager to improve co-operation with Harare.
“At government to government level, I think shortly Vice President (Chiwenga) will be visiting India this March to attend the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Africa Conclave, the 13th annual conclave that they are hosting, he will be going as a guest of honour and that is engagement at government to government level,” he said.
“We are (also) making arrangements for him to meet the top leadership in India.”
The 13th CII Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership will run from 25 to 27 March 2018 in New Delhi.
Over the last 12 editions, the conclave has seen the participation of eminent dignitaries from across Africa and India including Heads of State, Ministers, Business Leaders, Financial institutions and Investment agencies.
Being India’s largest Africa-focused business event, the conclave has set the stage for identifying several opportunities for India to help Africa meet its development needs.
The 13th Conclave will especially focus on the ‘High 5’ priority areas set by the African Development Bank in 2017 which include power and energy, Infrastructure, manufacturing, education and skill development and agriculture.
More than 400 project opportunities that cut across sectors are expected to be discussed at the conclave.
Masakui said at private sector level, Indian businesses were keen to invest in Zimbabwe following the ushering in of a new government.
“I think with this new dispensation there are several steps and policy measures that have taken place, hopefully the businesses in India will come in now and it is my duty as an ambassador of India posted in Zimbabwe to tell my people these are the policy changes that the government of Zimbabwe has made and that it (is) safe now for our business people to come in and do business here in Zimbabwe.
“I have a flurry of queries regarding how business can be done in Zimbabwe and some of our big business people have been here for the last one month exploring, they have gone back but they will be signing deals on mining claims and other things,” he said. – New Ziana
