Harare International Conference Centre, 17 February 2010

The Honourable Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Amai Joice Mujuru, The Honourable Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde J Nkomo, The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister of Republic of Zimbabwe, Professor Arthur Mutambara, Honourable Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Eng Walter Mzembi, Honourable Ministers from Africa, Honourable Members of the Senate and Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, The Special Advisor to the United Nation World Tourism Organisation Secretary General, Prof Geoffrey Lipman, The Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Africa Investor, Mr Hurbert Danso, Senior Government Officials,The Chairman of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and other ZTA Board Members, The Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourisim Authority, Mr Karikoga Kaseke and your Management Team, The President of the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism, Mr. Emmanuel Fundira, Captains of Business and Industry, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to thank the organisers of this conference and you, the participants, who have attended this conference in the spirit of partnership to work with us in developing our great country.

Over the past two days you have been meeting to explore investment and business opportunities and examine how we can enhance the image of Africa as a vibrant investment destination.

As the curtain comes down on the Pan African Tourism Investment and the First International Conference on Investment Oppportunities in Toursim and Related sectors in Zimbabwe, I am encouraged by the appetite and desire by the delegates to realise the transformation of African's economic fortunes for the betterment of her economy and people.

I believe that for the majority of us, both the Minister's Summit and the Conference were eye openers.  I am informed that the Summit, which was held together with the Conference on Zimbabwe, is being run for the fifth time and is poised to grow into an internationally acclaimed tourism investment platform.

As destination Zimbabwe, we are excited to note that the Summit and the Conference have attracted high level delegates from the different parts of Africa and beyond.

I am particularly proud, that in your time here, you have witnessed the consultation, consensus and dialogue that forms the basis of this inclusive Government. When you arrived, there was a great deal of uncertainty around Zimbabwe's suitability as a viable investment destination due to the proposed indigenisation regulations.

As you may now be aware, the Minister of Indigenisation, Youth Development and Empowerment and the Minister of Economic Planning and Investment have heard the concerns expressed by all stakeholders and have now agreed to return to the drawing board to ensure that any future such policies are based on international best practices and are designed to promote growth, development and empowerment in Zimbabwe.

True empowerment can only come about through formulation of a shared vision amongst all sectors of our society and our economy. Empowerment that comes through growth promotion and that is incentive based will ensure sustainability, inclusivity and viability.

It is the goal of my Government to ensure that our policies are designed to uplift the poor and marginalized through partnerships with business and investment that are designed to create and exploit new opportunities to benefit Zimbabweans and investors alike to the benefit of our entre continent.