PREPARATIONS for forthcoming European Union-Zimbabwe Business Forum, which is expected to unlock sustainable trade and investment under the Global Gateway, are at an advance level.
The three-day business forum to be held in May is expected to focus on Investment and Development Agency, ZimTrade and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries.
The EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum is aimed at promoting EU foreign direct investment in Zimbabwe across key identified sectors within the Global Gateway framework.
In a statement, the EU mission in Zimbabwe said: “The EU offers a multi-sector range of financial guarantees to de-risk investments, supporting private European investors to explore opportunities in challenging markets, particularly in Africa and the EU neighbourhood.”
The forum seeks to diversify and boost trade between Zimbabwe and the EU, maximising the benefits of the existing EU-Zimbabwe Economic Partnership Agreement.
“It will provide a platform for private-public dialogue to further improve the business environment, such as the regulatory framework,” the EU said.
The business forum will involve cross-cutting topics in financial services, transport and logistics and technical and vocational training in specified sectors.
“The target sectors for the business forum are horticulture and agro-processing; renewable energy and the mining value chain,” the EU said.
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The forum will bring together private sector EU businesses and Zimbabwean businesses, government ministries, agencies and financial institutions.
Also expected to participate are government ministries and agencies, development partners, both political and administrative decision-makers, such as the Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Foreign Affairs and International Trade ministries, Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, ZimTrade and European Union member States.
Financial institutions like European development financial institutions and Zimbabwean banks are also expected at the forum.
The business forum will also avail opportunities for sector-specific sessions with EU companies’ exhibitions, business-to-business and business-to-government meetings and a networking reception with policy-makers, business regulators and sector representatives for effective discussion with all stakeholders.
“The day will also feature an exhibition of EU companies and field visits to potential partners and investment locations,” the EU statement said.
