A LOCAL financial advisory firm Global Renaissance Investments (GRI) will next month lead a business delegation to China seeking strategic partnerships and business opportunities, Standardbusiness reports.
The Zimbabwe-China Business Forum, which is slated for mid-October, will see local business people connect with various Chinese business experts.
The motive is to expand business markets horizons with mineral, agricultural and industrial buyers from China and around the globe, GRI chief executive officer Ngoni Dzirutwe told Standardbusiness.
China is a strategic business partner for Zimbabwe.
“The motive is to expand business markets horizons with mineral, agricultural and industrial buyers from China and around the globe,” he said.
“Minerals such as lithium, chrome, iron, platinum, diamonds and gold are to be marketed to the buyers. This is a good opportunity to market our various minerals to the buyers.”
Over time, inroads have been made in tying business relationships between the two nations
According to the Chinese Embassy, China is the third largest Zimbabwe’s trading partner with trade between the two having surged 296% in 2022.
At a time Zimbabwe is seeking to grow its mining sector to a billion dollar economy, Dzirutwe said the mining investors will also grace the forum to scout for investment opportunities.
Business enthusiasts are also expected to learn the art of manufacturing from the Chinese experts, a move which is expected to open a fresh line of products in Zimbabwe.
While Zimbabwe is still lagging in terms of manufacturing and technology Dzirutwe said meetings with various stakeholders in China's key sectors is key to this business forum.
"Chinas' manufacturers will be in attendance too, so it will be a good thing to meet one-on-one with the manufacturers. Moreover, the latest technology in use will be there.
“The hope is ensuring that local businesspeople open new lines of trade through learning from them. Buyers from around the globe are also expected to attend. So, you will find that it is not limited to China," he said.
Dzirutwe added that China is also one of the biggest consumers of tobacco and agriculture products so this means that local companies in these sectors are set to benefit more from the forum.