ZIMBABWE is spreading its diplomatic tentacles to the Middle East, which is considered “the new frontier in business”, with the country seeking to open a consulate in Saudi Arabia, it has been learnt.
Due to its vast oil resources, which are among the largest in the world, the Middle East is home to some of the world’s richest businesspeople and corporates, particularly in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Zimbabwe’s Business Ambassador to the Middle East, Mr Mohamed Jassat, told The Sunday Mail that some investors from the region had already visited Zimbabwe on scouting missions.
Sectors that are being targeted include agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
“There is no doubt the Middle East is the new frontier in business. Even though they have all the money, they have limited resources in terms of minerals and agricultural products. This is where our opportunity is,” he said.
Ambassador Jassat, who is a Zimbabwe-born businessman, was appointed to his portfolio in January this year.
His mandate is to attract investment into Zimbabwe from the Middle East.
“The other mandate is to lobby governments in the Middle East to
come and invest in our country on a government-to-government basis. I will engage the Saudi government, the UAE government, the Kuwait government and other countries in the Middle East and tell them that, as a Government, we welcome them here in Zimbabwe. I honestly believe there is no other country in the world that has opportunities like we have in Zimbabwe,” he added.
“Since the appointment, I have been busy laying the groundwork. I had a meeting with the UAE Minister of State, Sheik Shakboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, and his team. I invited them to Zimbabwe on behalf of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa. The team came to Zimbabwe about three weeks ago and we discussed the investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and how keen we are to work with them. Their main areas of interest are agriculture, mining and clean energy.”
Countries like Pakistan, despite not being in the Middle East, have also reportedly shown interest in telecommunications, textiles and mining.
“So, I went to see the Pakistan Ambassador to Zimbabwe and after several visits, he invited me to Pakistan. We met the Governor of Lahore and other senior government officials. They are also keen to invest in Zimbabwe.
“Their areas of interest include mining, telecommunications and textiles. They want to mine lithium, process it and start a battery manufacturing company in Zimbabwe,” Mr Jassat said.
Efforts are also underway to open a consulate in Saudi Arabia.
“His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has also tasked me to open a consulate in Saudi Arabia. I went and met the Saudi Ambassador, Shiek Osamah MM Krenshi, in Lusaka. I presented my credentials and we are in the process of making an application to open a consulate in Saudi Arabia.”
Writing in his weekly column in The Sunday Mail recently, President Mnangagwa said Government’s new engagement and re-engagement foreign policy drive has been opening new frontiers around the world. – Sunday Mail
