Swedish Trade Council in Zimbabwe – an investment country for Swedish companies?

Jan Kettnaker, Trade Commissioner of STC Regional Office in Johannesburg, and Håkan Bengtsson from STC Botswana, visited Zimbabwe in September. The purpose of the visit was to launch the term ”project scouting”. In addition, the delegation conducted a preliminary evaluation of the economic situation and potential for Swedish business enterprise. Most optimistic of all was the minister responsible within the inclusive government.

The Swedish Trade Council (STC) acts as a global intermediary providing Swedish businesses with local knowledge of foreign markets. The primary aim of the delegation’s visit was to promote “project scouting”, led by STC in cooperation with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SIDA to encourage a proactive dialogue between foreign ministries and local projects during the preparatory stage.

- Often Swedish companies attempt to penetrate emerging markets much too late, and fail to secure promising business opportunities, explained Håkan Bengtsson while presenting “project scouting” to the Embassy of Sweden personnel in Harare.

Meetings with Swedish companies
According to representatives from the ten or so Swedish companies already established in Zimbabwe, political instability and unfavourable investment conditions impede growth and are the primary economic obstacles for Zimbabwe. Although, there are good conditions for economic and industrial development, this base has deteriorated over the years due to inactivity and decay. At present, much of the infrastructure in Zimbabwe is lying idle and in urgent need of restoration.

- Swedish companies could respond to these much needed infrastructure upgrades and industrial reconstruction by providing investment, innovation, support, new technology and solutions, said Fred Knott, Managing Director of Sandvik Zimbabwe.

One the most prominent optimistic forces in Zimbabwe, whom the delegation consulted with during their visit, is the Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion:
- Zimbabwe could constitute a great potential market for foreign businesses and investors, with good communications, relatively low crime levels, international currencies, hardworking and educated work force. If we only had better conditions, Zimbabwe could generate one third of the southern African GDP within only a few years, Elton Mangoma told the delegation during their meeting.

Sweden supports private sector development in Zimbabwe
The delegation met with the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR), which is currently running a capacity building project targeting the Zimbabwean business community. NIR promotes private sector unity when lobbying towards the government, by facilitating dialogue between Swedish trade unions and Zimbabwean Business Member Organisations (BMOs). The project was launched earlier this year and is financed by the Embassy of Sweden in Harare via SIDA, with a budget of roughly 1 million US dollars.

- The private sector has great potential and will become the future growth engine of Zimbabwe. Hence, we are pleased to have launched this project with NIR to support the Zimbabwean business community. The Embassy looks forward to long-term cooperation with the STC concerning trade issues and opportunities for Swedish companies in Zimbabwe, says Christina Weibull, responsible for trade promotion and political affairs at the Embassy.

Article by Christina Weibull and Jenny Wright

More News

Nov 12 2009 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Zimbabwe
The European Union is concerned by the arrest on Sunday 8 November of five prominent members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, including ZCTU President, Mr Lovemore Matombo, and their continued detention.
Oct 21 2009 EU concerned over situation in Zimbabwe
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the situation in Zimbabwe:
Oct 16 2009 MDC-T disengage with ZANU-PF
Following the arrest of MDC Treasurer General Roy Bennett, Morgan Tsvangirai announced on October 16 that his party MDC will disengage with coalition party ZANU-PF on all levels, but will not pull out of the inclusive government. The EU Presidency published the following statement concerning Bennett's arrest:
Sep 30 2009 Swedish support to launch of YET Youth Fund
In late September Youth Empowerment and Transformation (YET) officially launched its Youth Fund. YET is a national youth initiative that has cooperated with the Swedish development agency SIDA since 2008 in promoting youth work and push forward marginalised groups in the national political debate.
Sep 30 2009 New report on Zimbabwe-South Africa relations
The Southern African Liaison Office (SALO), which is supported by SIDA and the EU among others, published the following report on the relations between Zimbabwe and neighbouring South Africa.
Sep 28 2009 Launch of NewsDay
During the official launch of Zimbabwe’s newest independent daily newspaper, the Swedish ambassador H. E. Sten Rylander held a key note address (see full speech below) about the progress made in Zimbabwe concerning media liberalization and the importance of freedom of press as well as free flow of information.
Sep 14 2009 Road to Restoration of Zimbabwe Education
A multi million US dollar Education Transition Fund was launched in Zimbabwe on Monday 14 September that aims to provide a textbook to every child and eradicate a ratio of one book per 10 school pupils. The event was officiated by Minister David Coltart at Mutasa Primary School in Highfield, Harare. (See full speech among related files.)
Sep 12 2009 EU Troika: “Key to re-engagement is implementation of GPA”
For the first time in seven years a high-level EU delegation came to Zimbabwe 12-13 September. The troika was led by Swedish Minister for International Development Co-operation Gunilla Carlsson and comprised the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht as well as a representative of the European Council secretariat.
Aug 17 2009 The Swedish Archbishops visit to Zimbabwe
The archbishop of Sweden, Anders Wejryd came to Zimbabwe on the 8th of August to visit the Evangelican Lutheran Church of Zimbabwe(ELCZ) and to sign a ‘Letter of understanding’ with them.
Aug 4 2009 Some optimism in the air as talk of a freer media in Zimbabwe surfaces
The National Journalistic and Media Awards(NJAMA) ceremony took place on the 31July 2009. Sida was one of the sponsors of the event, promoting the importance of a new media environment in Zimbabwe. The Swedish Ambassador Sten Rylander had been invited by Zimbabwe Union of Journalists(ZUJ) to make a speech at the event, emphasising the importance of media reforms and the role which free journalism has in a democratic society. The Guest of Honour was Prime Minister Morgan Tsvanigrai, who unfortunately could not attend. He was represented by the Honourable Gordon Moyo, Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office. The two ministers of Information Nelson Chamisa and Webster Shamu were also in attendance. The NJAMA event was initiated to acknowledge some of the top journalistic achievements in Zimbabwe during the last year.
Jul 21 2009 New National Vision for Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe National Vision Workshop was held in Harare 17 -18 of July 2009. The purpose of this workshop was to discuss a new shared national vision for Zimbabwe. The conference was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and was attended by Members of Parliament, government officials, representatives of the three main political parties in the inclusive government( the two MDC formations and Zanu-PF)other political parties, business leaders, private sector representatives, NGOs and civil society organisations. It was a positive event where optimistic ideas about the future of Zimbabwe were discussed.
Jul 15 2009 SWHAP meeting held in Harare
Swedish Workplace HIV/Aids Programme (SWHAP) was established in Zimbabwe in February 2007. It is supported by Sida and implemented by International Council of Swedish Industry and Swedish Industrial and Metalworkers’ Union. SWHAP was initiated in an attempt to promote awareness and assistance about HIV/Aids in Swedish related workplaces. SWHAP hold awareness sessions for employees and partners, and they also provide voluntary counselling and testing on a regular basis.
Jul 15 2009 The official opening of The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe premises
The official opening of the Sida sponsored Culture Fund of Zimbabwe’s premises took place on the 1st of July 2009 in Harare. Guests at the event were the Minister for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, The Swedish Ambassador Sten Rylander, the Mayor of Harare Muchadeyi Masunda and the well acclaimed Zimbabwe musician Oliver Mtukudzi amongst many Zimbabwean cultural practitioners. The Fund is to help revive and support culture and arts in Zimbabwe. The event brought together people from a variety of backgrounds, broadcasting the rich Zimbabwe arts culture through displays of sculptures and performances for their audience.
Apr 6 2009 Statement by Participants in Zimbabwe Like-Minded Meeting, Washington, DC
The following statement was agreed upon by the countries attending a meeting held at the United States Department of State on March 20, 2009.
Apr 1 2009 Press Release - Sweden increases humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 25 March 2009 - The Swedish government, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has contributed 84 Million Swedish Crowns corresponding to USD 10 Million to support the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.
Dec 3 2008 Gunilla Carlsson on the situation in Zimbabwe
"The violence, which is once again increasing, must cease and extensive reforms be introduced to turn developments in Zimbabwe around. The SADC and neighbouring countries have a major responsibility. The AU and the UN must also increase their commitment and play their part in jointly resolving the situation that has arisen"
Oct 13 2008 UN Secretary-general welcomes agreement in Zimbabwe on government of national unity
Read the UN Secretary-general's statement on the power-sharing deal reached by ZANU-PF and MDC
Jul 23 2008 Statement by EU Foreign Ministers
"The Council regrets that the Zimbabwean people were unable to vote freely in the election on 27 June, the result of which the EU regards as illegitimate."
Jul 3 2008 Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson's statement on Zimbabwe
"Despite the fact that the African Union heads of state and government at yesterday's summit in Sharm El-Sheik sent a signal to Zimbabwe, I can't help feeling a certain amount of disappointment."
Jun 30 2008 UN Secretary General´s statement on Zimbabwe
Statement made on behalf of the UN Secreatry General on Zimbabwe. The Secretary-General is pointing out that "the outcome did not reflect the true and genuine will of the Zimabwean people or produce a legitimate result".
Jun 24 2008 Joint Nordic Statement by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the situation in Zimbabwe
The Nordic Ministers of Foreign Affairs align themselves with the recent statement made by the UN Security Council, condemning the political violence in Zimbabwe and calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to stop the violence, to cease political intimidation, to end the restrictions on the right of assembly and to release the political leaders who have been detained.
Jun 17 2008 Nordic Prime Ministers express concern about the situation in Zimbabwe
At their informal meeting in Vadstena, the Nordic prime ministers expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe
Jun 9 2008 European Commission calls for immediate lifting of ban on humanitarian actions in Zimbabwe
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, is deeply concerned by the ban imposed by the Zimbabwean authorities on the international humanitarian relief effort in the country
May 30 2008 "increasing pattern of people being targeted for politically motivated assassination"
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour Arbour condemns murders of opposition activists in Zimbabwe
May 29 2008 Swedish government proposes a policy for Africa
Sweden and Africa - a policy to address common challenges and opportunities
May 27 2008 EU Conclusions on the situation in Zimbabwe
Made by the Foreign Ministers on 26 May.
May 12 2008 Swedish Ambassador Sten Rylanders speech at World Press Freedom Day
On May 3rd organisations all over the world commemorated what the United Nations announced in 1993 as World Press Freedom Day Zimbabwean journalists and others were gathered in Masvingo, Zimbabwe on Saturday. Key issues called for was the abolishment of repressive media laws, radical media reforms and an end to the use of hate language. Representatives from different organisations agreed that media freedom in Zimbabwe has been rigorously restricted. Amongst a row of constitutional amendments that has been imposed in the last decade, stands the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) which has been used to tighten the space of privately owned newspapers and to clamp down on independent radio and TV-stations. A statement made by the Association of Zimbabwe Journalists stated that “only constitutional reforms can help save us and help the country build a responsible media fraternity, bring more actors in the print and broadcast sectors that continue to be dominated by the state”.
Apr 22 2008 Swedish input on seminar arranged by the Women´s coalition
On Tuesday, April 22nd the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) organised a seminar for bringing Zimbabwean women to the centre of the 2008 elections. It was a meeting set out to start a reflective and strategic planning process where the participants would see how they could contribute to tackling the current electoral situation. The aim was to use the exchange of ideas to develop a response strategy for the women´s movement. A catalyst for the meeting was the socio-economic crisis arising from the unfolding political events.
Apr 16 2008 Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Zimbabwe
On April 16th, The EU issued a common statement on the situation in Zimbabwe.
Mar 12 2008 Swedish Humanitarian Assistance in response to the 2008 UN Consolidated Appeal for Zimbabwe and a new Multilateral Contribution to WFP
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, 12 March 2008 – The Swedish Government – via Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) – has responded positively to the United Nations Consolidated Appeal for Zimbabwe this year (UN CAP 2008) through a contribution amounting to SEK 44.5 million, corresponding to USD 7.2 million. The amount of Swedish humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe in 2008 thereby remains at the same high level as in 2007.
Dec 28 2007 Food Security for HIV/AIDS affected families
HIV/AIDS continues to reverse efforts to bring about development in Africa. Zimbabwe is one of the countries that are most hit by HIV/AIDS. Twinned with the other challenges like the political repression and the economic meltdown, the burden to HIV/AIDS affected households becomes unbearable. Although new national HIV Prevalence Estimates for 2007 indicate a drop to 15.6%, HIV and AIDS remain for a long time major threats for Zimbabweans and more so for the poor.
Nov 21 2007 The Story of Chipo
Chipo (not her real name) is a sixteen year old girl who heads a family of seven, aged between 4 and 13 years of age, with three of them aged between 4 and 6 years old.
Sep 27 2007 Swedish support helps WFP provide food assistance to thousands of vulnerable people in Zimbabwe
HARARE, ZIMBABWE, September 2007 - The Swedish government, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has contributed USD1 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) – providing crucial funding for the agency’s vulnerable group feeding activities.

Back

Print version