Zimpapers Logo

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter

Government says its objectives in participating in the Expo 2020 Dubai that ended in March this year were met and it is following up to make synergies on countries and organisations that expressed interest in investing in the country.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Fredrick Shava said Government was excited on the response they got from the country’s exhibition at the expo.

Minister Shava said this during the post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday after he presented Cabinet with the final report on Zimbabwe’s participation at Expo 2020 held from October 1 2021 to 31 March 2022.

“Yes, our objectives were met,” he said.

“Our stand at the Expo was visited by 620 000 people and it was also visited by interest groups of sorts. Among the main possible countries, that might follow up what we exhibited were India, UAE, South Africa, UK and so on. 

“What we await now is to find out what the follow-up mechanism are and what business we are able to generate. In the briefing we got today, we said we will continue to look at the responses from those who were exhibiting to tell us exactly what we have achieved. 

“In terms of following up these countries and range of goods and services coming from Zimbabwe, we think that the Dubai Expo achieved its objectives when it comes to Zimbabwe.” 

Earlier on, ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, who was standing in for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, said Government was happy with the feedback they were getting from the country’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“The nation is informed that Zimbabwe was one of the 192 countries that participated at Expo 2020 Dubai, where it showcased its unique opportunities in trade and investment, its distinct cultural heritage, socio-economic activities such as mining, tourism, agriculture, health, education, arts and culture among others,” said Dr Muswere.

“The country was also promoting the engagement and re-engagement Agenda and unpacking the country’s Vision 2030. Feedback indicates that the overall objectives were met through the main exhibition and complementary events. However, key stakeholders are undertaking an appraisal of the country’s participation at the Expo.” 

Regarding the Invest, Trade and Visit Zimbabwe drive, Dr Muswere said a lot of enquiries were received during the period. 

“A number of Joint Venture Agreements were signed during the Expo,” he said.

“Two Diaspora engagements were held during the period. The first one was attended by the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, while the second one was graced by His Excellency, the President. 

“Very successful engagements were conducted during both forums, where the diaspora community expressed interest in investing in various sectors of the economy.”

Dr Muswere said Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Acting Minister Kirsty Coventry presented a report to Cabinet on the Tourism Accounting Findings and Policy Implications.

“Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that in line with the National Development Strategy, (NDS 1 2021-2025), Government undertook to develop the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), in order to improve the accounting of the performance of the Tourism Sector,” he said. 

“A Technical Working group led by the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT) produced the TSA. The TSA is an internationally adopted statistical tool for the measurement of tourism’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), trade and employment in an economy.”