THE government is planning to lure investors through its participation at next year’s global exhibition, Expo 2025, to be held in Japan as it continues to seek foreign direct investment.
Last December, the government revealed that it had begun preparations to attend and participate in Expo 2025, an upcoming world expo organised by the Bureau of International Des Expositions (BIE).
The French-based BIE is an intergovernmental organisation of 182 member states created to supervise international exhibitions that fall under the jurisdiction of the ‘Convention Relating to International Exhibitions’.
Expo 2025 will be held in the city of Osaka, Japan, from April 13 to October 13.
Speaking at a two-day national multi-stakeholder conference on the preparations for Expo 2025 last week in Bulawayo, Industry and Commerce minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said the expo will unlock global markets and attract investors to different sectors.
“It is a platform to forge synergies, create smart partnerships and unlock global markets. We are a nation not known to be bound by any limits if we put our minds into achieving something. As we go to the expo, let us be mindful of our desire to actively attract investors to these sectors to buttress our industrialisation,” he said.
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Foreign Affairs and International Trade deputy minister Sheillah Chikomo said the conference’s mandate was to assess the progress that the country had taken in preparation for Expo 2025.
“The conference provided us with the opportunity to take stock of progress made towards the effective participation and agree on how we can agree to the momentum needed towards reaping from multi benefits from the expo,” Chikomo said.
“The expo, running under the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives, presents a unique opportunity for nations to collaborate on solutions new and old.”
She added that Expo 2025 is more than just an exhibition, but a catalyst for progress to bring together, from across the globe, ideas, inspiration, collaboration, and innovation.
Japan ambassador to Zimbabwe Yamanaka Shinichi said his country is working closely to welcome more than 160 countries and 84 million visitors at Expo 2025.
“We are now less than 270 days away from the Japanese Osaka expo, the Japanese government, local governments and Japanese are working together to make preparations,” he said.
Shinichi said the expo will be a great platform for Zimbabwe to showcase its economic and business potential to the world as well as share ideas, showcase and implement new partnerships that would design future livelihoods.
“It will also be an opportunity for Zimbabwe to contribute to the corrective dialogue on addressing the pressing challenges of our time and shaping a better future for all,” he said.