HARARE – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has sent a special delegation to London to appeal to Zimbabweans domiciled in the United Kingdom to invest back home.The delegation, led by Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office Gorden Moyo, left Harare on Wednesday night and is expected to address Zimbabweans and other prospective investors on Saturday.

The Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment Conference is "in response to Zimbabwe's ongoing change programme and Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s call for the Diaspora to play a part in the reconstruction of Zimbabwe," Moyo said in a statement.

At least 200 delegates, including special invited guests are expected to attend.

"The event will also compliment and provide support for efforts by both Zimbabwe and the UK government to implement solutions that help Zimbabwe in stemming the current problem of mass migration and the effects of “brain drain” out of Zimbabwe," Moyo said.

"This is especially important to those people whose stay has come to an end, but because there has been very little communication about the possibilities, and some people have not been to Zimbabwe for years, this conference will provide an opportunity for them to understand their options and what facilitation channels exist to support their return." 
 Speakers at the conference will include Zimbabwe Investment Authority director Richard Mubaiwa, who is expected to articulate the challenges that small scale or corporate investors are facing and Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) chief executive Emmanuel Munyukwi.A representative from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, DFiD and UK Border Agency will also address the conference. Tsvangirai and his former political rival President Robert Mugabe formed a power-sharing government in February tasked with steering Zimbabwe back to stability after disputed elections last year plunged the country into crisis. 

The unity government says it requires US$10 billion to revive the economy and make the country work again after a decade of economic decline.

By Zimonline