Zimbabwe advances Diaspora Policy review to foster inclusivity and growth
THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is at an advanced stage of reviewing the Diaspora Policy as the government works on ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.
In his address at the Bulawayo Investment Indaba, a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Deputy Director in the Department of diaspora investment, Mr Edson Jr Sithole gave an update on the Diaspora Policy review process, stating that the Second Republic is motivated by the inclusivity of leaving no place and no one behind.
He said the Diaspora Policy review process aims to ensure that the diaspora is effectively engaged, enabled and empowered to participate in national building initiatives.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Diaspora in collaboration with the Office of the President and Cabinet initiated the review process to ensure that the Zimbabwe Diaspora Policy adequately addresses the of the Zimbabwean diaspora community”.
“The central aspect of the policy review process is inclusive stakeholder engagement, recognising that for the policy to be meaningful, it must be shaped by those it seeks to serve,” he said.
He noted that to enrich the Diaspora Policy review process, the ministry conducted benchmarking visits to Ghana, Nigeria, India, Ethiopia and Canada to assess the strategies that can be applied in Zimbabwe.
Last year, Zimbabwe witnessed a surge in Diaspora remittances, with inflows reaching a record US$2,2 billion, representing a 22 percent increase from the US$1,8 billion recorded in 2023.-chrocnile
