Development

Zimbabwe looks for business partners in China

By Chen Qide (China Daily Shanghai Bureau)
Updated: 2010-08-12 15:25

Zimbabwe held a business forum in Shanghai Thursday (Aug.12) to look for business partners in China.

Today's forum gives an opportunity to the Chinese community to have an understanding of Zimbabwe's business opportunities, said Welshman Ncube, minister of Industry and Commerce of Zimbabwe.

The forum themed "Zimbabwe your business partner in Southern Africa" aims to strengthen the bilateral economic co-operation between Zimbabwe and China, said Ncube.

"We plan to step up our economic growth by expanding trade and investment," he said.

The minister said it is his hope that the Chinese business community will have a clearer understanding of Zimbabwe through the forum.

Ncube led a business delegation to the forum, which comprises five ministers and more than 60 business people from various industries.

He Liehui, chairman of the Touchroad International Holdings, said more than 80 Chinese enterprises participating at the forum will discuss with their counterparts from Zimbabwe about the investment and business co-operation.

Ncube said the forum will play a platform to bring about the prospect for a win-win outcome as both countries will have opportunities to explore and have mutual benefit to enjoy.

He said in his keynote address that the biggest challenge Zimbabwe is confronted with is the inadequate capital inflow in the form of foreign direct investment.

"We need capital to support our economic growth and sustainability," he said.