AAG courts Chinese investors, Asian FDI
THE Affirmative Action Group (AAG) has embarked on a drive to promote foreign direct investment drive into Zimbabwe from Asian countries, starting with China where the local empowerment lobby recently met several businesspeople in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, to discuss the various opportunities in the country.
Representatives of Guangdong Province Hakka Overseas Friendship Association (GDKFA) and AAG encouraged their members to explore business interests from both countries, as part of efforts to bolster economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the meeting held in Guangzhou earlier this week, AAG chief spokesperson and strategist, Mr Tawanda Dozva, implored the business community in the province to explore investment opportunities in Zimbabwe in line with the Government’s engagement and re-engagement.
“I believe the Guangdong Hakka Federation can play an important role and mobilise Guangdong business people, especially global Hakka entrepreneurs to visit and invest in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe has abundant mineral resources such as lithium and copper, as well as resources such as agricultural and sideline products. As a country, we do have good relations with China, and I believe this is a huge market opportunity for Chinese entrepreneurs and global guest entrepreneurs, to collaborate with Zimbabwe on areas of interest.
“President Mnangagwa has already made it clear that Zimbabwe is open for business through his engagement and re-engagement policies,” he said.
Mr Dozva proposed to co-host a special event in August to publicise opportunities in Zimbabwe.
“It would be good if more Guangdong entrepreneurs understand the investment environment and business potential of Zimbabwe, and create more opportunities for Zimbabwean enterprises and products to enter the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” said Mr Dozva.
Executive chairman and secretary general of the Guangdong Province Hakka Overseas Friendship Association Zhong Wendong expressed the organisation’s interest in investing in various sectors in Zimbabwe, saying he will soon mobilise a group of entrepreneurs who had already shown interest in investing in the country.
“We have more than 100 million Hakkas in the world, and they are distributed in hundreds of countries and regions around the world, many of whom are successful entrepreneurs in various industries.
“Guangdong is home to the largest Hakka population and the most active Hakka entrepreneurs in the world. I am happy to say that the Guangdong Tourist Association is willing to support Zimbabwe’s investment promotion activities with practical actions, organise Hakka entrepreneurs to invest in Zimbabwe, play an active role in the Government and non-governmental exchanges and economic and trade development between China and Zimbabwe to promote win-win cooperation between the two sides,” said Zhong Wendog.
Mr Dozva paid tribute to Mr Aaron Kwang Poon the chairperson of the Global Business Council who played a major role by engaging AAG representatives to facilitate these meetings.
Mr Kwang said he will continue to support Asia and international investors to work with the Zimbabwe empowerment lobby group.
During the tour, Mr Dozva also met with the Guangdong Trade Promotion Association and Russia Deputy Secretary-General Miss Peng Huiqing, in Guangzhou at the Guangdong Foreign Economic and Trade Office.
The director of the Overseas Liaison Department Zhong Xuexian, chairman of Guangzhou Consular management club Liu Jia, member of the Guangdong Tourist Federation, the director of Guangzhou Baiyunshan hospitality management office Deng Xihui, and the general manager of CITIC Guoan Borui Fund Ma Haijie also attended the meeting.-herald
