President Mnangagwa will this week attend the Russia-Africa
Summit in Sochi, Russia, where he is expected to meet Russian investors from
Alrosa and Great Dyke Investments (GDI).
The engagements are expected to give fillip to the two
projects that are key to economic revival. Several African Heads of States and
Government will attend the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit, which is earmarked
to enhance co-operation between Africa and Moscow.
The two-day summit ends on Thursday, with the first day
exclusively dedicated to business. Zimbabwe’s chief envoy to Russia Ambassador
Mike Sango confirmed the President’s itinerary to The Sunday Mail.
“During the summit, His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa
will meet with investors of Great Dyke Investments and Alrosa with a view to
give impetus to the implementation of the two mega projects. Other meetings
with the President in energy, mining and manufacturing sectors have been
organised,” he said.
“The success of the two mega projects are critical in
attracting other Russian investors. Where big business succeeds, smaller
players follow. But, if they fail, no other business will enter that market.
“It is, therefore, important that these two investors
succeed, otherwise other businesses will shy away from the Zimbabwe market.”
Ambassador Sango said the mining projects by the Russian
investors naturally have a long gestation period.
“The two projects, by virtue of their qualitative financial
magnitude or complexity, take time to consummate.
“It is, therefore, critical that all due processes are
meticulously done to avoid future conflict or misunderstandings.”
President Mnangagwa is also expected to address a business
forum, where he will pitch the country’s business case to potential investors.
The President would also give a keynote address to the
business round-table organised in conjunction with Business Russia, an
all-Russia public organisation.
According to Ambassador Sango, Zimbabwean companies will
also take part at the summit.
“Russia has moved forward in terms of manufacturing and
mining technologies. (They) are among global leaders of energy technologies.
These are the areas that the embassy (of Zimbabwe in Russia) has encouraged our
sectors to look at more seriously,” he said.
The recent establishment of the Russia-Zimbabwe Business
Council, he added, has created a platform for continuous interaction between
businesses from both countries.
Russia has a strong bond with African countries that can be
traced to the time the continent was fighting for independence from colonisation.
Sunday Mail
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