What are the main sectors that Indian businesses can look at when it comes to investing in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe is a land-locked (land-linked) country with a coverage area of 390,757 km2 and a population of 15,18 million (2022, Official Census). Under the leadership of the country’s President, His Excellency Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe launched Vision 2030 aimed at achieving the status of an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.

With 60 known marketable minerals, Zimbabwe is an ideal investment destination in the mining sector, with significant reserves of minerals that include diamonds, gold, platinum, coal, copper, lithium and some rare earth elements. Oil and gas exploration ventures have also   revealed the potential for large reserves of the commodities in the Zambezi valley.  Zimbabwe hosts reserves of minerals that India seeks to secure for their Vision 2047 and Indian companies may wish to consider setting up mining and processing plants for these minerals in Zimbabwe for mutual benefit.

Most development cooperation is currently around the area of establishing viable regional agricultural production and mineral beneficiation networks. India also has various durable and highly efficient productive / manufacturing technologies. Indian technology and expertise can be used to boost value chains related to mining, agriculture and food processing in Zimbabwe through joint ventures or other business collaborations. Genetically modified crops with quicker maturity and higher resistance to drought are important towards attaining food security.

This therefore points to several opportunities open to foreign investors and businesses in Zimbabwe in different sectors and value chains. Further, the Government is keen to attract foreign investors to set up and produce goods and services in Zimbabwe, not only for the domestic market but also for trade within the region and globally. Investment opportunities are available in the sectors of Mining, Agriculture, Health, ICT- especially Artificial Intelligence for use in different economic and social sectors, Tourism, Manufacturing, Energy, Transport and Infrastructure PPPs Investment Opportunities. 

Who are the major Indian players in the Zimbabwean economy at present, and do you see the contribution of Indian businesses in your economy going up in the future?
A sizable number of Indian companies have established themselves in Zimbabwe, including Varun Beverages Zimbabwe Ltd T/A PEPSI Co, which has become the largest manufacturer and distributor of soft drink ahead of Coca-Cola. Surface Wilmar (Pvt) Ltd, Zim-Gold, Raha Cooking Oil, have all invested in processing of edible oil which has a huge market in Zimbabwe and this has reduced the costs of importing the same. Parogate Paroan Vista has invested in the cotton value chain, whilst ETG has invested in Zimbabwe and acquired a sizable share in the cotton fabrics production industry. These are just a few of the major Indian investments in Zimbabwe. Worth noting is that several Indian companies have continued to join the Zimbabwean business community to undertake manufacturing, assembly and processing activities in different sectors of the economy. 

What is the role of the Indian Diaspora in Zimbabwe, and has it been able to further strengthen bilateral ties?
Zimbabwe has a large number of persons of Indian origin with several having established themselves as prominent business persons across the nation. It is estimated there about 10,000 persons of Indian origin living and working in Zimbabwe attaining positions of influence in the judiciary, business and political world. 

How would you view the role played by Indian and Zimbabwean chambers of commerce, and tourism companies, in enhancing business ties between the two nations?
Embassy of Zimbabwe in New Delhi has been playing a facilitative role in the forging of contacts and linkages among trade and investment promotion entities in the two countries, including Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The Embassy has established ties with Indian trade and investment promotion organisations, prominent among which is the Zimbabwe India Trade Council (ZITC), which is the Embassy’s anchor organisation on bilateral trade and investment promotion 

How critical is the role of the media in promoting relations between the two countries?
Media is important in dissemination of events and activities taking place between the two nations. The Government constantly spends a sizable proportion of the national budget each year and effort on the information and media dissemination and educational activities including press briefings, documentary development, etc. Government also constantly seeks to ensure that media sources are affordable across the country. Regarding dissemination and awareness, a lot of effort and resources in ensuring journalists are trained and facilitated to undertake their reporting activities be it at National, Regional or Global levels. 

Please shed some light on the cultural exchanges between the two countries?
Zimbabwe and India have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Fields of Arts, Culture and Heritage signed in 2018.The MoU provides for cooperation in the stated fields including cultural exchanges. Artists from Zimbabwe have participated at Arts and Cultural programmes in India such as the Kundi Cultural Festival, held in Haryana in January, 2023.