The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has directed the Government to urgently set up an inter-Ministerial committee to work on strategies to engage Zimbabweans in the Diaspora so they can contribute to the country’s development.
In his article carried in this paper, the President said he had discovered through interaction with many Zimbabweans abroad, that they had an array of high value skills critical for accelerated national development.
He said the Ministerial committee should be chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and report to Cabinet.
“Because of the cross-cutting nature of investment activities which attract Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, I am directing that a working committee on Diaspora affairs, led by relevant ministers is formed without delay. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade should chair it, deputised by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The Ministries of Home Affairs, Industry and Trade and that responsible for Lands and Agriculture, should be part of this working committee which must report to Cabinet. Other ministries can be co-opted as and when issues relevant to their portfolios emerge. This directive is consistent with our whole-of-government approach which daily guides us.”
The President encouraged the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) to ratchet up activities to lure Diaspora investors.
“In equal and urgent measure, our Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency, ZIDA, must step up its activities to target Zimbabweans abroad who may want to set up shop back home. These must be facilitated in all ways possible, including by availing industrial stands or factory shells built to purpose for free, or on concessional rates. After all, more jobs will be created and greater value created in our Economy.”
This constituency has contributed at least US$1 billion annually.
The Victoria Falls Stock Exchange and other such instruments as the Diaspora Bond have potential to lure more funds from the Diaspora.
President Mnangagwa said the Government was prepared to extend special treatment to the Diaspora community to acquire land for industrial development.
He called on the sharpening of strategies to cater for Zimbabweans living abroad.
Diasporans willing to invest in this country would be given land for free or through friendly terms depending on circumstances to foster development.
However, the special treatment will not be applied to farming land.
Said the President: “While the land audit has revealed availability of more land for allocation and reallocation, clearly not every Zimbabwean will access land. Second, I have warned them that there will not be any special treatment of Zimbabwean in the
Diaspora when it comes to agricultural land. Those in need of agricultural land will have to join the queue like the rest of Zimbabweans. However, in respect of industrial stands for setting up shop, Government is ready to show preferences in their favour.”
The President implored the Diaspora community interested in farming to engage in joint venture partnerships that would enable them to farm, without necessarily owing land.
“I am aware that the responsible Ministry is amenable to partnerships on agricultural land. This is yet another avenue available to Zimbabweans in the diaspora. Alternatively, they could find niche in value chains we have defined for the sector so they invest for export processing. After all, they have knowledge and even contacts in countries which host them.”
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, ZANU PF secretary for information in South Africa Cde Kennedy Mandaza said the President’s pronouncement was just what the doctor ordered.
“We welcome the call by President Mnangagwa for the diaspora community to come home and contribute to development. There are many people who have been enquiring on how they can get farms, industrial land to replicate industries or companies they have seen in the diaspora. Now that the President has cleared the way there are many who will be knocking on the door for industrial land as well as finding ways to farm.”
Mr Mandaza added:
“In respect to the available opportunities we would like to appeal to the President to consider giving concessions or substantial rebates to those bringing equipment and machinery to start companies or businesses.”
