THE Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SecZim) anticipates actionable resolutions at the upcoming capital markets conference, which are expected to result in an increase in new products and enhanced financial inclusion.

The inaugural capital markets conference, which is being held through a partnership  between the Zimbabwe Independent, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and SecZim, is slated for June 3 and 4 in Nyanga.

SecZim chief executive officer (CEO) Anymore Taruvinga told the Independent that the capital markets conference will play a leading role in mobilising resources.

"The first expectation is robust participation by our capital market stakeholders,” Taruvinga said.

“In terms of conference outcomes, we expect actionable resolutions on areas such as incentives required for capital market development, how the capital market can play a leading role in mobilising resources for infrastructure development, what we need to do to encourage new product development and increase financial inclusion," he said

Taruvinga said the conference would also be an opportunity for the market to interact with policymakers, government officials and stakeholders from other countries.

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Given that the commission has a mandate to promote transparency and fairness in the securities market, protect investors, and ensure that the market operates in a stable and efficient manner, Taruvinga said it was in the interest of SecZim to interact with market players through different platforms, and the upcoming conference is one such platform.

"Engagement is necessary for two main things; for the regulator to communicate expectations and vision for the capital market going forward and for the capital market stakeholders to provide feedback on progress, challenges, and opportunities for capital market development,” he said.

“We, therefore, expect all stakeholders to attend so that we can together review progress made, challenges faced and shape the outlook of our market."

Last week — the Independent — Zimbabwe’s biggest business weekly, unveiled a cast of distinguished capital markets executives, who will present papers at the conference.

Faith Zaba, editor of the Independent,  said two of the country’s most accomplished capital markets executives will join David Mnangagwa, deputy Finance minister, as keynote speakers.

She said ZSE CEO Justin Bgoni and Taruvinga will give updates on capital markets dynamics.

Other speakers will include Kenneth Matomola, chairperson of the Sadc committee of insurance, securities and Non-Banking Financial Authorities for Africa; Vimal Parmar, Financial Sector Deepening Africa senior specialist, capital markets; Tendai Matika, head Africa responsible for investment ecosystems United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment; Yona Banda, chairperson at SecZim, Nedbank Zimbabwe managing director Sibongile Moyo; Valerie Muyambo, Cabs chief finance officer;  and Sandra Musevenzo director general at the Zimbabwe Association of Pension Funds.

Taruvinga is a chartered financial analyst with over 14 years’ experience in the banking and capital markets sectors. He was group equities market analyst at Afrasia Bank.

He was also investment analyst for MMC Capital, and group research analyst at Premier Finance Group, now Ecobank.

Taruvinga was previously head of the ZSE markets responsible for operations, trading, and listings.

Previously, he held the position of head of business development and marketing as well as product development manager at the ZSE.

Apart from a wide network, Taruvinga has a wealth of practical experience in   marketing, business development, strategy and financial analysis. He is a non-executive director at the Investor Protection Board, where he chairs the investment committee.

Bgoni is a chartered accountant with over 19 years international experience in the financial and public sectors.

He holds among other qualifications, a Bachelor of Accounting Science from the University of South Africa and a Master in Applied Finance from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.

Notable previous appointments for Bgoni included being a management consultant at McKinsey Incorporated and chief financial officer at New Zealand Stock Exchange.

The conference is being held under the theme Fostering Zimbabwean Capital Markets for Sustainable and Responsible Investments: Opportunities for Investments.

The conference is expected to draw delegates from across different sectors, including the REITS association, executives from the private sector and state-owned enterprises, stockbrokers, the Association of Asset Managers Zimbabwe, Bond Market Association of Zimbabwe, the Association of Custodians, listed companies executives and ZAPF-Pension Fund Trustees among others.

The ZSE will launch a capital markets association during the conference.

In a recent interview, Bgoni said the conference seeks to position the country’s capital markets for investment opportunities.

“One of the key highlights for the ZSE at the conference will be the launch of the Capital Markets Association of Zimbabwe,” Bgoni said.