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British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Catriona Laing

A 19-member trade delegation from the United Kingdom arrived in Zimbabwe last Thursday for a three day visit to assess areas of possible investment. Invest Africa, a global private members club with a multi-service platform for access and investment into Africa and has about 350 members, privately sponsored the delegation, which comprises 12 companies from different sectors.

British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing said the visit signalled the strengthening of business ties between the two countries.

The delegation held meetings with the Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa who told them Zimbabwe was open for business.

Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, who spoke at the welcome cocktail, echoed the same sentiments but added that the Zimbabwean story was not being told well.

Ambassador Laing said there was need however, for the Government of Zimbabwe to intensify its efforts on investment policy clarification and reforms, matched by good political will to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“It is my hope that this will be forthcoming and Zimbabwe will see the benefit that FDI brings.”

London’s renewed interest in Zimbabwe, its former colony, comes on the heels of a mini scramble for Zimbabwe’s trade and investment opportunities by China and Russia which have clinched investment deals worth billions of dollars in energy, telecommunications and mining prompting the policy reassessment by the British. – Business Reporter/New Ziana.