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(HERALD) President, Jackson discuss investment

President, Jackson discuss investment
Saturday, 24 September 2011 21:43
From Morris Mkwate in New York

PRESIDENT Mugabe met an American business delegation led by civil rights leader the Reverend Jesse Jackson here on Thursday evening to discuss investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. The group, which is eyeing investment in health, construction, tourism and the media, is likely to visit the country next month.

In an interview soon after the meeting, Rev Jackson said Zimbabwe’s political stability created conducive investment conditions. He said the country should continue to lead in many areas.

“It was a very good meeting. I am interested in trying to work on ways to have more reconciliation in Zimbabwe which will create more opportunities for economic investment and growth,” he said.

“Before leading into the free South Africa, Zimbabwe laid the political groundwork for the new South Africa. There have been some problems, and I hope that now that there is a coalition Government, the President and the Prime Minister can really work together.

“If the world sees them working together, it makes favourable conditions for investment and that’s how you grow.”

Rev Jackson said some American investors intended to build medical institutions and more affordable houses.

“There were things (that emerged in the meeting) like access to more medical equipment. There are businesspeople here who know how to build medical institutions and build more affordable housing.

“So, our interest is to try to figure out a way to get the rival forces to see that there are some values that transcend politics. There is a national interest in opening up access to capital, industry, technology, medical equipment, housing, deal flow and those things we have in common.”

Prior to meeting the President, Rev Jackson met Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Chicago twice. He could not, however, be drawn into revealing details of their deliberations.

“I do know both. Both are Zimbabweans and both love the country. They will keep working to finally find common ground. At some point, there is progress. You move from bad ground to common ground. That’s where progress really takes place.

“I look forward to being a factor in helping to bring them closer together so that Zimbabwe’s interests and growth can take place. The good news is they have worked out a relationship.

“Both of them work in the same place; violence is down and that’s a good thing. So, we should build on that. That’s a great model and they should build on that. It would not be appropriate to discuss that (the meeting with Prime Minister Tsvangirai) except that our interest is very transparent.

“Our interest is in growing and developing Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has one of the most educated populations in all of Africa and has led the way in so many areas. The more they work together the more they are going to find out that there is profit in unity and loss in conflict.”

On sanctions being a major impediment to economic development, he said it was time for the parties involved to discuss the matter.

“Now is the time to engage and talk it out and not fight it out. I think there has been enough fighting and gamesmanship. If you engage you will find common ground.

“I am excited about the prospects. The more they work together the more good things will come your way; and good things mean becoming investment-worthy and having investment attractiveness.”

- The Sunday Mail

Labels: JESSE JACKSON, ROBERT MUGABE

posted by MrK @ 6:29 PM