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Nqobile Bhebhe, Online Reporter

FINANCE and Economic Development minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube is today, 20 April, expected to headline a key two day  Financial Markets Indaba which kicks off in the United Kingdom.
The conference seeks to  highlight and recognise the important role played by capital markets in economic development and preservation and growth of households’ savings, as well as to focus on opportunities available in different sectors outlining the opportunities for diaspora, international investors, and companies to allocate capital in different asset classes.
Financial Markets Indaba  also aims  to mobilise investment through convening diaspora, leading global institutional investors, corporate leaders, industry experts and our team of analysts to explore sector and market trends and identify significant investment opportunities.
The organisers added that through thought leadership, productive exchange of ideas and sharing practices, the conference delegates and participants discuss how to integrate and align regulatory framework with new strategies, business models, financial measures, and investment decisions.
“Financial Markets Indaba is co-hosting together with the Zimbabwe Embassy in the United Kingdom,  the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference in London on 20 April at the London Stock Exchange and 21 April at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre,” reads part of the organisers statement.
“The conference serves as an opportunity to inform the diaspora and demystify complexities and myths that surround participating in financial and capital markets and in turn encourages individuals from all walks of life to invest on the local markets including stock exchanges.”
Organisers said capital markets offer investment alternatives noting that the  number of stock exchanges on the continent has grown from five in 1989 to 28 to date, with stock markets growing continuously in the number of shares listed and the traded volume.
“In Zimbabwe the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE)  is the backbone of the country’s capital market with a history dating back as far as 1896. It is one of the oldest and most highly diversified exchanges in Africa given listings spanning all key sectors of the economy.
“Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, is a financial offshore centre that trades in foreign currency and is earmarked for the special economic zone in Victoria Falls.
“Zimbabwe’s capital markets continue to evolve. Consensus amongst capital markets players has it that currently the sector has an untapped potential contribution to economic growth. The market keeps transforming and building capacity to offer a wide variety of new products.”
It said the VFEX which has attracted 11 listings since its establishment in 2020 is one of the many initiatives the Government is pursuing to stabilise the economy and attract foreign direct investments.
There is growing activity on the VFEX with a number of companies showing interest to list on the foreign currency-denominated bourse to seek to take advantage of offshore settlement options which allow investors to efficiently repatriate their dividends.
The launch of the VFEX has been a game changer and the Government expects that it will emerge as a competitive global platform to raise capital and this will transform the country’s tourism capital into an attractive Offshore Financial Services Centre.
On the first day of the conference an Investor Day set for the London Stock Exchange, VFEX listing entities are expected to make presentations highlighting their success stories and company value proposition
On day two, the main plenary will host panel discussions which will host investment firms, corporates, and senior government officials to engage with delegates and participants on the opportunities, policy, efforts to reduce risk  and  cost of investment and doing business.