ASIAN investors keen to do business in Zimbabwe are embracing the indigenisation policy launched by Government, Indigenisation, Youth and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has said.
Minister Kasukuwere, who is in Indonesia attending the 26th Trade Expo Indonesia, said in an interview that business people he met so far expressed interest to invest in Zimbabwe. He said they told him that partnership with local business people was not new to them.
"We are mounting a campaign to meet key business people in Indonesia and South Korea and they are satisfied with what we are talking about," said Minister Kasukuwere.
"We are meeting those business people who are interested in expanding their businesses to Zimbabwe and they are saying the issue of indigenisation and local participation in mainstream economy is not new to them. If anything, they are saying local participation really guarantees them security of their investments."
Minister Kasukuwere said there was need to channel more resources towards development of the Small and Medium Enterprises sector. He said his experience from the Indonesian visit showed that SMEs had the capacity to drive the economy if fully funded.
"I have discovered that SMEs are predominantly the engine of economic growth and this is why the Indonesian Government is emphasising the importance of funding this sector. The more we support SMEs, the more we create wealth and sustainable employment for our people."
He commended the Zimbabwean business delegation participating at the 26th edition of the Trade Expo Indonesia also known as the Jakarta International Expo. He said they should use what they learnt to expand the local economy.
The minister said Zimbabwe and the entire African continent had the potential to excel if resources were utilised well. He said Zimbabwe was fortunate to have vast resources, coupled with educated people with skills in various economic fields.
From Indonesia, Minister Kasukuwere would on Sunday lead a 25-member Zimbabwean business delegation to South Korea to forge linkages with Koreans and explain the indigenisation policy.
Tam Consultancy director, Engineer Tawona Mtungwazi, who is also participating at the Jakarata International Expo said they made strides in striking business deals.
"We have seen areas where they are competitive and we are now making negotiations in areas we can partner with them," he said.
"There is great potential here and so far I have already identified some business people who have expressed interest to come to Zimbabwe early next month to partner us in the development of e-Government and software."
Other areas of partnerships with Indonesians include textile manufacturing and engineering consultancy.