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ZIMBABWE will next month undertake a trade and investment promotion mission to the UK as part of efforts to market the country to the world as a premium destination.

The mission comes at a time when President Mugabe, in his State of the Nation Address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate on Tuesday, said the Government recognised the importance of strengthening ties with the international community. It also comes at a time when the Government is in the process of implementing policies to improve the business environment to encourage both domestic and private investment.

The Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Forum, to be held under the theme; “Unearthing Zimbabwe’s Investment Opportunities — Zimbabwe’s Position” is meant to engage British investors and capital markets. Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha will lead a powerful delegation, including Government officials and captains of industry on the mission scheduled to run from September 22 to 23.

The delegation will promote investment opportunities under Zim-Asset and the broader industrialisation agenda. It will also articulate the framework for joint ventures and value addition initiatives; engage with investors on their views as well as de-mystifying the indigenisation and economic empowerment programme, highlighting the win-win partnerships that the Government is promoting.

We commend such efforts as the country moves to mend relations with the Western world. We equally applaud the President for reiterating that Government recognises the importance of strengthening ties with the international community.

While the country must jealously guard the ideals of the liberation struggle, it is worth noting that no country can stand aloof and successfully forge its development path in the global village. As such, the importance of the relations in the global economy can never be overemphasised.

Zimbabwe does not exist in isolation. We are part of the global family and should benefit from the synergies with other economies, cultures and societies. Warm relations with the Bretton Woods institutions have positive impacts on the economy.

We applaud the President for being alive to this and for chatting a path along which Government will promote re-engagement. It is critical for economic development. Our efforts towards value addition and beneficiation, although not entirely dependent on financing from the IFCs, rely on access to international capital.

International capital plays a key role in the development of industry and commerce. The re-engagement thrust should be pursued to its logical conclusion. It feeds well into the broader economic recovery trajectory. All efforts by the Government to give fresh impetus to the economy will receive a major boost once we cement international relations.

We are alive to the fact that Zimbabwe has the capacity to turn around. Just as President Mugabe said, we are on a growth path. That being said, we should always maintain our identity in the global village. We say yes to re-engaging and yes to co-operation because we subscribe to international relations, but, above all we must maintain our ideals, rooted and grounded in our founding values.