Zida goes digital

THE Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) has gone digital as it promotes investment in different sectors of the economy.

The agency has already launched match-making platforms for the mining sector and last week it launched the same for the tourism sector.

The newly introduced platforms allow different stakeholders seeking funding for their projects to engage potential partners.

Speaking in Bulawayo last week on the sidelines of the 16th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, Zida chief executive officer, Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo, said the online platforms allow users to utilise digital gadgets such as phones, laptops, or computers to upload information about projects upon the click of a button.

He said in the past those with projects that needed investment or partnership would ask how they could get a potential suitor for their ventures, which was difficult to respond to without adequate information.

The matchmaking platform is there to complement the Zida one-stop centre, which is meant to save investors’ time and bring all services under one roof, said Mr Chinamo.

“Investment is central to growth and sustainable development. It expands an economy’s productive capacity and drives job creation.

“Zida was established to create awareness of existing investment opportunities, attract investors that can foster job creation and productivity growth and facilitate their establishment and expansion of companies.

“We appreciate that a one-size fit all approach does not work.

In September 2023, Zida launched the Mining Claims Matchmaking Platform,” he said.

The platform allows claim holders to register their claims and specify the type of assistance they are seeking such as technical assistance, tributary partnership, joint venture partnership, debt funding, or a buyer for the mining claim.

Mr Chinamo said as the investment promotion arm, they assist in marketing the claims to potential investors on the platform and to all local and foreign missions.

He also said plans were underway to launch the same platforms for different sectors, which include agriculture, transport and energy.

“Our target by the end of the first quarter next year is to have about 500 matches on the Tourism Investment Matchmaking Platform,” said Mr Chinamo.

He also said in order to ensure there is adequate information on investment, every sector has a representative officer at the Zida offices providing the necessary information to potential investors. — chronicle