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Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]

MATABELELAND South’s successful hosting of the recent three-day hybrid diaspora investment conference in Beitbridge attended by 400 delegates, confirmed that the province has great potential for economic growth.

This conference, which was held from Thursday to Saturday last week, facilitated discussions and collaborations that could lead to increased investments, job creation and the province’s overall economic growth.

The engagement with the diaspora community can bring in valuable resources, expertise and networks that are essential for driving development in the region.

Matabeleland South has three urban councils and seven rural district councils and its economy is anchored on mining, crop and livestock farming as well as tourism.

As part of the initiative, the just-ended event was held in a hybrid format to allow for both physical and virtual participation by the Zimbabwean diaspora community and stakeholders in various sectors of the economy. Government ministries, departments and agencies mandated to enhance diaspora participation in national development also attended the conference.

The province working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted the conference, which ran under the theme; “Matabeleland South Province, Unlocking New Investment Frontiers through Diaspora Community Investment”.

Permanent Secretary for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mrs Latiso Dlamini–Maseko said the main objective of the conference was to showcase the province’s investment opportunities to the diasporans.

“The specific objectives of the hybrid diaspora conference are aligned to the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) of ensuring effective diaspora participation in national development,” said Mrs Dlamini–Maseko.

“Our aim was to showcase investment opportunities that are ready for uptake by the diaspora and local investors, building on the momentum set by the National Diaspora Investment Conference and Homecoming event that was recently held in Masvingo.”

Mrs Dlamini–Maseko said they seek to deepen and broaden diaspora engagement and dialogue between the province and the investment stakeholders.

“The investment conference was meant to assist the diaspora community to identify and troubleshoot challenges and hindrances that impede them in terms of taking up opportunities available in the province,” she said.

Mrs Dlamini-Maseko said the delegates had the opportunity to interact directly with local authorities in the province, discussing and proposing initiatives that can drive innovation, economic growth and the overall development of the province.

“The outcomes from this conference are expected to include, improved sustainable business linkages, increased value addition, growth in provincial GDP, technological advancements, accelerated revenue generation and improved provincial livelihoods,” she said.

Matabeleland South provincial director for infrastructure development and environment, Mr Daniel Njowa said they noted that some areas need attention to create a conducive environment for investment.

Some of the issues raised are related to the protection of investments for the diasporans, bureaucratic hurdles that stall investment in local authorities, the streamlining of processes at the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida), access to investment and farmland, corruption and the security of their remittances.

“Other issues include the registration of companies, the broadening of marketing strategies by banks, home ownership, embassy location information, services, skills transfer by diasporans, climate, customs and taxes and information on tenders and foreign currency based Victoria Falls stock exchange,” said Mr Njowa.