mbulelo smpofu
Sikhulekelani Moyo, mskhulekelani16@gmail.com
DUBAI-BASED Zimbabwean tourism expert, Mr Bhekokuhle Dube, has praised the Second Republic for introducing policy reforms that create a favourable environment for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to invest back home.
Speaking on the side-lines of the Travel Talk seminar in Bulawayo, Mr Dube stressed the importance of diasporans investing in Zimbabwe, where their properties and businesses are secure.
As chief executive officer of Easy Travelex, a travel agency registered in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and UAE, Mr Dube noted that Zimbabweans abroad are the country’s ambassadors, showcasing its potential to the world.
He encouraged them to invite visitors to invest in Zimbabwe and to copy good practices from other countries to bring back home as investments.
“Our President has allowed us to copy good things that are being done by other countries, we bring them home, we invest and we develop our country,” Mr Dube said.
He also highlighted the benefits of investing in Zimbabwe, citing the low cost of land compared to other countries.
“For everyone who is a Zimbabwean based in other countries, it is very important to invest in your own country because if you are to invest in other countries, we have seen rules of immigration changing resulting in people losing their properties. If you are in your country, it is very rare to lose your investment,” Mr Dube explained.
His positive experience with investing in Zimbabwe is shared by other diasporans, who are eager to invest in various sectors, including agriculture, real estate, tourism, education, and health.
President Mnangagwa has taken steps to support diaspora investment, directing relevant ministries to set up a working committee on diaspora affairs to address concerns and facilitate investment.
With the Government’s efforts to mobilise Zimbabweans abroad to invest back home paying off, Mr Dube’s sentiments echo the growing optimism among diasporans.
As he aptly put it, “For me, investing back home has been a wonderful experience because registering a company in Zimbabwe is not hard as compared to other countries.” — @SikhulekelaniM1.
