Embassy of India

Today, a high level business delegation from India facilitated by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) called on Hon. Vice President Gen (Retd) C.G.D.N. Chiwenga to enhance bilateral trade, commerce and investments. H.E. Mr Bramha Kumar, Ambassador led the Indian business delegation which is visiting Zimbabwe on 20-21 October, 2024. Defence Minister Hon. Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, Health & Child Care Minister Hon. Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, Minister ofIndustry and Commerce Hon. MangalisoNdlovu, Deputy Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Hon. KudakwasheMnangagwa, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development, Prof Obert Jiri,and Attorney General Mrs Virginia Mabizaalso interacted with the delegation.

The CII delegation consists of Bajaj Processpack Limited, Ecozen Solutions Ltd, Export-Import Bank of India, G-TEC EDUCATION Pvt. Ltd, Mangla Enterprises Pvt. Ltd, Medixcure, Mohan Mutha Exports Pvt Ltd., RG Foods, S.K. Panda and Associates, ShapoorjiPallonji International, Tata International, Wapcos Ltd, Tata Internationaldealing in Solar Powered Pumping for Water & Irrigation, Food processing and Packaging, Post Harvest Technologies, Cold Stores, Manufacturing, Banking & Finance, IT Education, Water, irrigation & solar, Pharmaceuticals, Solar, Construction , Services, Oil & Food Products, Legal consultancy,  Infrastructure, Motor industry, Automotive & Agriculture, Infrastructure, Water.

Hon. Vice President welcomed the Indian delegation and mentioned that Zimbabwe provides ample opportunities for trade & investment in all sectors of economy. Highlighting the tradition of strong people-to-people contacts between the two countries, he encouraged Indian delegation to take advantage of opportunity being provided in various sectors such as power, infrastructure& connectivity, solar, agriculture skilling & training, healthcare &pharmaceuticals, etc.

Hon. Kashiriemphasised that Indian delegation may explore opportunities in Zimbabwe’s defence sector. She highlighted efforts of modernising Zimbabwe’s defence sector. Hon. Dr.Mombeshorainvited Indian investors for setting up pharmaceuticals manufacturing plants, investment in hospitals and skilling &training facilities in healthcare sector. Hon. Ndlovuprovided broad contours of potentials of bilateral trade between India and Zimbabwe.

Mr. Rahul Mutha, Director, M/s Mohan Mutha Exports, provided a brief overview of Indian delegation and their focus areas such as solar, manufacturing, AI & skilling, legal consultancy and food processing. Indian delegation appreciated the support and guidance provided by Hon. Vice President and reiterated their commitment to further explore opportunities to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.

Separately, Ambassador Kumar underlined the close and steadfast bilateral relations between the two countries. He, however, emphasised that it was important for Government of Zimbabwe to utilise visit of such a high-level Indian business delegation if bilateral trade & commerce between the two countries had to be enhanced. Ambassador added that Zimbabwe would need to provide some kind of hand holding to interested investors. He also welcomed business delegations from Zimbabwe to explore such opportunities in India too.

Later in the afternoon, Minister of Industry and Commerce Hon. MangalisoNdlovuand Ambassador Kumar co-chaired interaction between Zimbabwean and Indian delegations at Munhumutapa building. Relevant Zimbabwean authorities such as Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA), Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) accompanied by private sectors had fruitful discussions in concerned sectors and priority areas of economy.

Recently concluded Joint Trade Committee meeting in May 2024 has identified several sectors of economy to enhance bilateral relations between India and Zimbabwe. The promising areas include institutional framework in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, minerals and mining with training & capacity building in diamond sector, textiles and fashion industry for employment generation, new collaborations in ICT and geospatial sectors. MSME development and rural crafts are other important mechanisms which are being explored for engaging authorities and business of two countries.

CII is an association of top Industries in India. It holds every year CII-EXIM Bank India Africa Conclave to enhance economic cooperation between India and African countries. Following the Indian Prime Minister Hon Narendra Modi’s calling Africa India’s top priority at the time of inclusion of African Union (AU) in the G20 under India’s Presidency last year, the Government of India is doing all out efforts towards closer economic ties with African countries. Zimbabwe is one of the most important African countries. Zimbabwe has been sending high level delegation led by Hon. Vice President General (Retd) Dr. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga.