US-based Zimbabweans lured by indigenisation drive

Scores of Zimbabweans based in the United States have submitted their CV's to Government as they seek to be considered for employment and investment opportunities being generated by the indigenisation drive.

The development was triggered by a recent visit to the US by delegation of senior Government officials and private sector representatives.

In an interview last week, head of delegation Dr Washington Mbizvo confirmed that highly skilled professionals living in the US have expressed interest to return home and play a part in the revival of the economy.

"One of the major positives that came out of the Zim-US Diaspora engagement conferences was that we received CV's from highly qualified personnel to be considered for various positions in our state enterprises, parastatals, and universities. These will be dispatched to the various departments for consideration," he said.

Dr Mbizvo noted that most Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora have a distorted image of their country.

"We discovered that there is a huge information gap within the Diaspora and this is largely attributed to some the propaganda that they get.

"Most of these people are not aware of the positive changes that have taken place in the country. The delegation was able to demystify the negative perceptions that are apparent in the Diaspora," he said.

Dr Mbizvo said Zimbabweans living in America had also managed to express their concerns on some of the issues which they want to be addressed.

Chief amongst the concerns were the need to put in place measures that will make it easier for them to repatriate funds, tightening of security for their investment and the unprofessional conduct of customs officials.

Dr Mbizvo said some of the resolutions that were made during the two week engagement tour were to set up a skills database of Zimbabweans living in America, establishment of a US-Zim Chamber of Commerce, setting of the US-Zim investment vehicle, consolidation of partnerships between universities and colleges in the two countries and the launch of the Love Zimbabwe Campaign with a view to promote patriotism.

During the tour, the delegation conducted business conferences in Washington (DC), Atlanta (Georgia) and Dallas (Texas) in collaboration with the US based Zimbabwe Business Network International and the Zim Expo Business Consortium.

In Washington the delegation held meetings with World Bank officials who revealed that Zimbabwe qualifies to benefit from a US$35 million fund for techno-prenurial education.

It is estimated that out of 3 million Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora, about 100 000 live in the US and they have the capacity to pump in US$1,6 billion into Zimbabwe's economy.