BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO.
The Minister of State and Devolution Affairs for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira, is optimistic that the Second Diaspora Investment Conference and Homecoming Event to be co-hosted by his Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will go a long way to allow the Zimbabwean Diaspora to actively participate in the country`s current economic development trajectory climate.
Speaking during a press conference at his Benjamin Burombo Offices today, Minister Chadzamira said that the Diaspora Community is an important constituency in the development of the country`s economy indicating that hosting of this conference is a demonstration of Government`s desire to create avenues through which Zimbabwean citizens that are abroad can participate in the emancipation of the economy.
“The first 2 days of the Conference have been dedicated as business days, which will provide a platform for information sharing between the Zimbabwean Diaspora Community and all stakeholders on the investment climate, opportunities across all sectors of the economy, incentives in Zimbabwe, as well as discuss practical ways in which the Diaspora can actively participate in the development of their motherland” said Chadzamira.
Over the past years, the Diaspora Community has been contributing immensely to the development of the economy through financial and social remittances. Financial remittances are said to have increased by 13% to a total of US$1.8 Billion in 2023 up from US$1.6 Billion in 2022.
Minister Chadzamira also intimated that his Office, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, will ensure that the Conference is held in hybrid format so as to afford an opportunity to those who cannot physically attend to participate in this national event.
The Inaugural Diaspora Investment Conference which was first held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Bulawayo last year on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), is apparently the second one. It shall be held from the 11th to the 13th of April in Masvingo at Clever`s Resort under the theme: “Celebrating Diaspora Participation Through a Mutually Beneficial Partnership for National Development and Sustained Economic Growth.” Registration for local participants is currently in progress.