TOKYO: Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa will this week lead a Zimbabwean trade delegation to Japan to cement business and investment relations between the two countries. The visit builds on the foundation laid by President Robert Mugabe during his visit to Japan in March. Mabuwa told delegates during a tour of companies in Gweru last Thursday that her ministry had organised a delegation that would engage Japanese companies to explore business opportunities in Zimbabwe.
“Next week (this week) I’ll be leading a business delegation to Japan to follow up on His Excellency President Mugabe’s recent visit to the Asian country for a business interaction,” she said. “Sadc countries will be interacting with over 300 Japanese companies in Tokyo. We’re also taking our delegation there to be able to interact and invite investment. We’re going to have a special side meeting where we’re going to showcase the opportunities that exist in Zimbabwe.”
President Mugabe in March told Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Zimbabwe’s doors were open to Japanese investors, adding that the Asian economic giant could look forward to a “mutually rewarding relationship with us”.
After the meeting between the leaders, Japan announced a development package worth $5,3 million for the nation to buy equipment for road rehabilitation. The trip to Japan would likely coincide with the China-Africa SMEs Convention, which will be held in Shanghai, China from June 7 to June 10, 2016. The convention is a platform for African SMEs to trade and partner with Chinese SMEs, to learn from the experience of their Chinese counterparts, and to find opportunities for investment from Chinese and African investors.
