David Shumba Herald Reporter
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday assured ambassadors that the Zanu-PF congress that is scheduled for next week will eliminate all obstacles to investment and make the country a more conducive investment destination.

Cde Mutsvangwa told ambassadors who were gathered at an event marking the birthday of Japanese Emperor Tsugu Akihito that the country was set to have a more organised political leadership that has a trusted presidium after the congress.

“We are very confident that we are going to give an enabling environment to investors. We are on the verge of a historic party congress and I am confident that all ambassadors will be there because we are extending our invitation to you.

“Thereafter, there will be more certainty about Zimbabwe and more importantly we want to make Zimbabwe the preferred destination of investment.

“I can assure you that we will be second to none in Africa as we are looking forward to be number one and we are very confident about that. We wait to make the country a good investment destination come a period after congress as Zanu-PF is set to come up with a leadership that the investors have confidence in,” he said.

Cde Mutsvangwa said investors needed a stable economic environment and a leadership that they have confidence in.

He said the party was set to eliminate the leadership that hinders investment in the country.

“We were on their black list so things have improved and the Government to Government relationship is good. We want to give Japanese investors an enabling environment so that they move into Zimbabwe. There was a lot of confusion in the party, there was competing centres of power and there was lack of direction within the ruling party which is the party of Government, those things are being ironed out, there will be one centre of power which is the President and that is what an investor wants,” Cde Mutsvangwa said.

“Investors do not want confusion; they don’t want uncertainty particularly about centres of power in the country. They want to know who they are dealing with.”

Speaking at the same occasion Japanese Ambassador Yoshinobu Hiraishi said Japanese companies were kin to invest in the country.

“Japanese companies are showing interest in the high level of potential of this country. They are taking into account its abundant human resources and infrastructure.

“Many of them are now seeking business opportunities through dispatching their fact-finding missions to this country,” he said.

The event was attended by ambassadors from more than 30 countries, Government officials, and business people, among others.