by Nobleman Runyanga
Despite the challenges at home which include the cholera outbreak and economic challenges, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to travel to New York for his maiden United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) summit next week. Given the weight of the affairs at home, ordinarily, the President would have foregone this auspicious occasion but this would also mean leaving potential investments, networking opportunities crucial meetings on the table at a time that the country badly needs them to facilitate economic recovery and improve the people’s livelihoods.
Although most countries abide by the United States’ hard stance against Zimbabwe, a good number of them are dying to do business with the southern African nation given its great climate, educated population and irresistible investment opportunities. For these reasons he had to make the decision of leaving the charge for the country in his capable deputies’ hands so that he can leverage on the opportunities presented by the UN premier event.
Even American company executives wish to meet President Mnangagwa and his team and hear from the horse’s mouth about the great investment opportunities that await them in Zimbabwe. Despite the existence of a sixteen year old free trade-strangling Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA), progressive American companies such as the General Electric Corporation (GEC) defied their government’s law and visited Zimbabwe to express their interest in local infrastructural investment projects such as the US$4.5 billion Batoka Gorge Hydropower Project on the Zambezi River.
The world would remember how President Mnangagwa became the centre of attraction during for the 48th World Economic Forum annual summit at the Swiss resort town of Davos in January this year. The West has taken positions against Zimbabwe since 2000 and has come to the conclusion that it cannot be angry on behalf of Britain forever. It has realised that while fighting in Britain’s corner other progressive members of the global community of nations such as China are cultivating mutually-beneficial relations with Zimbabwe. It has learnt the hard way that for nearly two decades it has lost out on investment opportunities and bilateral relations with Zimbabwe.
Given the renewed interest in Zimbabwe by global economic players, it is important that the President and his team avail themselves at UNGA to sell the country’s unique opportunities and answer any questions relating to the new administration and its new economic thrust which is encapsulated in the now very popular Zimbabwe is open for business mantra.
President Mnangagwa has torn away from the ways of the old dispensation and ushered in a refreshingly different era. His maiden attendance at the UNGA 73rd session is, therefore, very important as it presents him and his team with a chance to explain the new administration’s vision for the nation.
Just like Zimbabweans back at home, the world is also waiting with bated breath for the President to deliver his maiden UNGA address next week spelling out a new Zimbabwe, a new President and a new dispensation to the world.
