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WE report today in our Business section that local and international investors made investment project proposals worth $1 billion last year, but just over half was realised.

For starters, Zimbabwe received expression of interest from investors amounting to $400 million in 2013 with almost the equivalent value being realised as actual investment.

However, comparison shows that the actual investment realised in 2014 did not match the interest shown that year, an area that the country needs to urgently work on.

The growth from $400 million to $1 billion investment proposal applications last year graphically shows that Zimbabwe can be an attractive destination for investment.

In view of this, it means the country needs to work on issues identified as hindering the flow of investment at a time the country desperately needs the investment.

This is particularly the case considering that Zimbabwe being a dollarised economy requires substantial FDIs as a major source of liquidity to grow the economy.

We are aware that applications for investment in themselves do not easily translate into physical investment at once.

It must be made clear that there has to be a time lag between applications for investment and the time funds flow in.

The time lag is due to the number of processes involved in setting up shop.

There are also various licences that an investor should comply with before commencing operations.

Taking cognisant of the time it takes to set up and channel funds into the country, we must therefore, reduce the number of licensing processes required.

We must not complicate the process for the investors. Foreign direct investment is dynamic and not static and so should our processes be.

No investor will sink his investment in a process which would take longer than the forecast lead time to mature.

FDI is fluid; it follows a less resistant path. Therefore, by all means necessary, we must eliminate obstacles that hinder investment.

As such, we urge the Government to address policy issues inhibiting foreign direct investment particularly when the numbers clearly show that the country is a preferred market for FDIs and could be a leader in attracting investment given the existing opportunities.

The $1 billion worth of proposals is not a small number for a country like Zimbabwe where misconceptions seem to have discouraged people to invest in our economy.

All things being equal, (taking away the misconceptions and illegal sanctions) we are confident Zimbabwe can receive expression of interest way over $1 billion.

Despite the liquidity challenges we are facing and the spirited attacks by detractors, Zimbabwe remains at the centre of international focus. Investors just love our country.

We have the mineral and natural resources and educated and qualified human capital. The infrastructure needs to be rehabilitated but we compete high up there among other the developing countries.

The demonitisation of the Zimbabwe dollar serves as a good sign of Government’s policy consistency.

It shows that we shall be in a multi currency environment for a long time.

Policy consistency is a critical factor for investors when they make investment decisions.

It is thus of paramount importance that every realisable dollar from foreign investment is captured considering FDI well in excess of current interest shown is required.