THE European Union (EU) has expressed strong confidence in Zimbabwe’s investment climate, describing the ongoing EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum as a significant platform for building mutual trust, deepening economic cooperation, and unlocking new opportunities in trade and investment.
Speaking during the high-level engagements, EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Jobst von Kirchmann, said the quality of discussions and candid approach to both opportunities and challenges marked the beginning of a new era in economic relations between the two trading partners.
“The meetings gave us an opportunity to explore the vast opportunities Zimbabwe offers, while also honestly acknowledging the existing challenges. This transparency is the bedrock of trust, and trust is essential for any serious investor. Indeed, this marks a new chapter in trade relations.”
The forum has been hailed by local industry leaders as a key milestone in Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement efforts under the Second Republic.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Sekai Kuvarika, noted the unprecedented level of consultation between local businesses and their EU counterparts.
“We made every effort to present a balanced picture, outlining both the opportunities and the structural issues that exist. The level of interest was overwhelming, to the point that we could not accommodate all the meeting requests. This forum was critical in fostering trust,” she said.
Local entrepreneurs praised the business forum for opening new networks and pathways to collaboration.
The Chief Executive Officer of SolGas Energy, Mr Tafadzwa Kundicha pointed to the tangible impact of the forum on investment discussions in the clean energy space.
“The engagements we have had here are promising and are likely to lead to concrete deals. Through partnerships with EU member states, we are optimistic about significantly increasing energy generation capacity in Zimbabwe.”
Renewable energy investor, Mr Kingston Kamba echoed similar sentiments.
“There is clearly a significant window of opportunity to collaborate with our EU partners. This forum is laying the groundwork for strategic synergies in the energy sector.”
For Women in Mining founder, Mrs Tendai Mutete, the forum also offered a unique opportunity to expand networks and business linkages.
“As a woman in mining, I was able to establish valuable connections which I believe will help scale up my operations,” she said.
The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to exceeding the US$1 billion trade volume mark with Zimbabwe, with the current forum serving as a strong testament to its determination to deepen economic ties with the country.
The forum aligns with the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy thrust, which aims to rebuild international relations and attract investment that spurs sustainable national development.
