Zimbabwe Presents Opportunities For South African Businesses

25 April 2012 16:00 - Crage Campbell

Zimbabwe Presents Opportunities For South African Businesses

Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe said South Africa is well placed to do business with Zimbabwe in many sectors and companies should take advantage of the opportunities available. She said Zimbabwe presented a developing market for South African goods and services such as retail, mining, chemicals, food and beverages, medical services and hotels.

Thabethe, who is leading more than 30 South African companies that are exhibiting at the fair said, said, "South Africa is strategically placed to do business with Zimbabwe in these sectors. I'm urging South African businesses to take advantage of the opportunities available in these sectors and invest in them as this will contribute to the growth of the Zimbabwean economy,"  She added, “The South African economy is inextricably linked to those of other African countries and we have a strong interest in promoting higher levels of industrialisation and regional economic integration on the continent.” She went on to say that South Africa had planned a number of activities to strengthen economic relations with Zimbabwe over the next few years. These included fact finding visits to other key regions, provinces and cities in the neighbouring country to promote proudly South African products and technology, as well as to identify investment projects for South African products. 

South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe Professor Vusi Mavimbela said the presence of regional and international exhibitors was an indicator that Zimbabwe was a good investment destination. The Ambassador said Zimbabwe was renowned for its skilled labour, which the country should take advantage of to boost its economy. He said, “Zimbabwe is so advanced in terms of education, if not the leader. There is a need to integrate these skills towards economic growth of the country and the region.”