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Business Reporter
The Zimbabwe Investment Authority has launched the inaugural investors awards that will be presented at a ceremony to be held next month. The awards, which will be presented at a ceremony on November 26, were launched on Tuesday evening. They are aimed at recognising investors that have contributed to the development of the country.
According to the ZIA there will be a total of 32 awards that will be presented.

Finance and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr Samuel Undenge, who was guest of honour at the launch, said Government was going to amend the Zimbabwe Investment Authority Act in order to give investors incentives. He said a lot is being done to make sure the investment environment is conducive.

“As Government we are in the process of improving the business environment and several proposals and reforms have been tabled. We are in the process of harnessing the energies and processes required to implement these reforms,” he said.

The deputy minister also said Government was using policy and legislative processes to reform the investment regulatory processes.
“These reforms include the establishment of the one-stop shop investment centre, amendments to the Zimbabwe Investment Authority Act to factor in incentives and special economic zones, instituting business reforms among other initiatives,” he said.

“We need investment that will safeguard our environment, that adheres to the laws of the land and help reduce poverty.”
ZIA board chairman Mr Nigel Chanakira said the hosting of the awards was meant to pay tribute to companies that have shown commitment in terms of investing in the country.

“We have gone through different eras for us to reach this far and we saw it fit to come up with an awards ceremony to appreciate the good work being done by different investors in the country. All investors who are adopting a wait-and-see attitude are losing out on glorious opportunities,” he said.

He also said the awards would instil confidence among the investors because they will know that as a country Zimbabweans appreciate their input to the country’s economic development.

“We have done exploratory visits to attract investment in countries like China, South Africa and Malaysia.
“We believe awarding the investors is the way to go and local investors have a part to play in attracting investment through partnerships with foreign companies,” he said.