ZIDO chief executive, Mr Blessed Kapesa, said in an interview that the event was worth attending for businesses. Tafadzwa Zimoyo recently in LONDON, United Kingdom

The United Kingdom-Zimbabwe Business Expo 2024, scheduled for Birmingham, UK, in October this year provides a befitting platform for individuals, businesses and investors from across the world to explore the limitless opportunities available in the country. Organisers of the business fiesta envisage numerous investment opportunities in Zimbabwe being exposed to the audiences and business partnerships being clinched for the development of the country. Apart from the investment opportunities, the event will encourage trade and promote the two countries’ business and culture. The expo is being hosted by the Zimbabweans in Diaspora Organisation (ZIDO) and Vaka Ekhaya, a diaspora-based institution that brings together property developers, real estate companies, banks, construction firms and investors for investments in Zimbabwe’s real estate sector.

ZIDO chief executive, Mr Blessed Kapesa, said in an interview that the event was worth attending for businesses. “The primary focus of the expo is to enable Zimbabwean businesses to promote trade, establish new business development connections with the diaspora, and form new partnerships within various UK sectors that can support their growth,” he said. “We are calling those who want to take part, from exhibiting to speaking at the event, to come on board. The event will serve as a platform for fostering investment opportunities and wealth creation, aligning with the Government’s call for the diaspora community to invest back in their homeland. Mr Kapesa said they decided to hold the expo to acknowledge the significant contributions made by the diaspora community to Zimbabwe’s economy.

“We aim to leverage investment projects by fostering closer partnerships between local Zimbabwean businesses and the “middle class in orbit”, which refers to the Zimbabwean diaspora eager to unlock greater investments for substantial returns,” he said. “The UK-Zimbabwe Business Expo not only aims to highlight these contributions but also seeks to create more opportunities for further investments and collaboration, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for Zimbabwe.” Mr Kapesa said the expo will provide attendees with a comprehensive experience, offering a wide range of products, services, entertainment, educational resources and cost-saving opportunities. “The expo aims to attract at least 5 000 participants and will target the Zimbabwean community in the UK,” he said.

Vaka Ekhaya chief executive Mr Tapiwa Kandoro said building valuable business relationships and networks would be some of the key highlights of the event. “The expo will offer detailed insights into investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. Attendees will have access to influential speakers who will showcase the abundant prospects, aiding them in making well-informed investment decisions,” he said. Mr Kandoro said the business exhibition will showcase a wide range of products and services. He said the event will close with an awards ceremony to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Zimbabweans and companies with ties to the diaspora. The expo augurs well with the Second Republic’s vision of promoting trade and investment, particularly between Zimbabwe and the UK through the re-engagement and engagement policy.