zimbabwe set to host imara's biggest investment indaba

Arrangements are being finalised in Harare for the biggest yet Zimbabwe foreign investor conference in the seminar series organised by the Pan-African Imara financial services group.

The Botswana-listed Group has a strong presence in numerous sub-Saharan markets and has made a strategic commitment to market Zimbabwe's growth potential to the world.

Forty internationally based investment fund managers have already confirmed their attendance at Imara's third annual Zimbabwe Investor Conference, including the first Japan-based investment firm to signal an interest in Zimbabwe's resurgent economy.

Other fund managers will fly in from North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asian mainland, said Sean Gammon, chief investment officer of Imara Capital Zimbabwe, co-host of the conference along with Imara Holdings and Auerbach Grayson, Imara's US-based partners that have helped build awareness of Zimbabwean opportunities in North America.

Fund managers are also expected from South Africa, Botswana, Central and East Africa.

The indaba on May 19-20 will be opened by Zimbabwe vice-president Mrs Joyce Mujuru.

Imara organised Zimbabwe's first in-country international investment conference following the formation of the inclusive government and the 2009 dollarisation of the economy. At that time, the Group ñ known for its strong Zimbabwean connections ñ committed to ongoing efforts to present Zimbabwe's investment case to international fund managers.

Sean Gammon commented: "The conference not only promises to be the biggest Imara indaba yet, it will also feature several firsts.

"We have secured the first representation of Japanese investors ñ a positive move as Japan has traditionally shown little interest in Africa's so-called frontier markets, unlike India, China and some Middle Eastern investors.

"The conference will also feature the first presentations by Masawara plc, a UK-listed private equity fund with exclusive focus on big growth and value opportunities across Zimbabwe's fast-reviving economy."

Imara Capital has also secured a strong mining sector presence.

Executives from Zimplats (part of South Africa-based Impala Platinum) will address delegates. Zimplats operates the Ngezi platinum mine in central Zimbabwe.

Also on the agenda is a presentation by UK-listed Nwana Africa, which operates the Frieda Rebecca gold mine Bindura north-east of Harare and has a majority stake in the Zimbabwe-listed Bindura Nickel Corporation.

Senior executives from a wide range of economic sectors will be among speakers, including representatives of Padenga Holdings, the crocodile ranch owner that is now positioned as the world's largest producer of crocodile species skins.

Contributions are also expected from: AICO (with interests in agriculture and the FMCG sector), Hippo Valley Estates (agriculture), CBZ Holdings (financial services), Barclays Banks (financial services), Delta Corporation (beverages), DZL Holdings (dairy) and Innscor Africa (foods and FMCG).