By Rungano Dzikira

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked Zimbabwe number 14 in Africa and the most improved business environment, with Mauritius being accorded the top scorer position in this same category.

According to the WEF Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, Zimbabwe’s rankings seat at position fourteen (14) in Africa, following robust economic reforms by the country.

“The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness index 2019 looks at the enabling environment, policies and enabling conditions, infrastructure, ICT readiness, international openness, price competitiveness, natural and cultural resources which Zimbabwe has been generally improving on,” read the report.

A collaborative approach in fast tracking reforms is said to have improved the country’s business environment while according fresh foreign investment in the country.

“Zimbabwe is now set at improving regulatory environments for start-ups; developing new partnerships for re-skilling and up skilling workers; identifying opportunities for green growth such as the circular economy; scaling-up e-commerce for rapid business growth, especially in the SME sector; and how to leverage the new Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement to drive regional integration,” added Cornwell Mupemba, an economist with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

“Zimbabwe’s future prosperity hinges on its ability to create inclusive, sustainable growth at this time of rapid transformation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and as a country we are honoured that this year’s 28th World Economic Forum on Africa recognised these efforts,” he added.

The just ended economic forum ran under the theme, ‘Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.’