Opinion / Columnist
Diasporans must help rebuild Zimbabwe
08 Jun 2013 at 05:44hrs | Views
Non-resident Zimbabweans in the Diaspora should be formally and strategically engaged and assist in rebuilding and rebranding Zimbabwe as it is rated one of the fastest growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the last decade Zimbabwe has lost most of its trained and experienced citizens who left for various reasons including political and economic.
During the same period Zimbabwe earned an undesirable reputation of a hostile place to live in for Young Upcoming Professionals (Yuppies) and do business.
Now there is an opportunity to rebrand the country as a progressive and modern tolerant emerging market given the generally stable economic environment, low inflation rate, growth prospects and vast mineral reserves, etc.
This can start with a formal engagement of the NRZs in assessing how they can directly help the rebranding and economic rebuilding effort as Zimbabwe cements its reputation as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
The NRZs represent a whole generation of exported Zimbabweans who can use their newly acquired skills, networks, ideas and access to resources to rebuild Zimbabwe and rebrand it.
The starting point would obviously be a skills audit and outreach programme that seeks to engage the NRZs and assess their skills and their relevance in assisting rebuild the country.
There is need to identify who has which skills and where are these individuals.
The next step would be to assess what incentives it would take to attract these skilled individuals back to Zimbabwe.
Economic sanctions have partly blocked Foreign Direct Investment, the NRZs can play a leading role in resource mobilisation.
The brain drain which was experienced by Zimbabwe over the last decade will take a great effort to recover from.
A majority of the Zimbabweans who left were mostly educated at subsidised rates at a great strain on the country's financial resources.
It is imperative then for measures to be developed to re-attract some of these highly educated, trained and experienced individuals to return to Zimbabwe and contribute in ways they can in resuscitating the economy.
The skills audit and outreach programme should include various specific incentives and measures developed with various Diaspora groups in mind.
The Diaspora is a very diverse group with different needs, skills and ambitions. Therefore a one size fits all approach will not serve the nation best.
The incentives and programs have to be developed with direct input from the NRZs and their representative groups.
These are the best people placed in helping in formulating effective policy to tap into this critical reserve of talent, skill and human capital. In the NRZ Diaspora community there are individuals who just need a job while others are capable of creating jobs.
These individuals are equally important in rebuilding the country but the incentive programme and the timing of their return to Zimbabwe may not be the same.
Others may just want to invest and a lot more would want to travel as tourists and keep in touch with families and friends and their motherland.
These differences can be properly outlined and addressed through the use of the skills audit and outreach programmes.
The modern economy is driven mostly by talent, skill and networking. These are qualities that are abundant in the NRZ Diaspora community.
The challenge remains that of an official Government policy which is inclusive and recognises the critical role which the NRZ has played and can increasingly play in Zimbabwe's recovery to ensure that the current growth rate is maintained.
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This article is provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Prior to execution of any security trade, you are advised to consult your authorised financial advisor to verify the accuracy of all information. Neither GMRI Capital nor any independent provider is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein.
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GMRICAPITAL, telephone: 0778409875, Offices: 4 Dan Judson Road, Milton Park, Harare.
Over the last decade Zimbabwe has lost most of its trained and experienced citizens who left for various reasons including political and economic.
During the same period Zimbabwe earned an undesirable reputation of a hostile place to live in for Young Upcoming Professionals (Yuppies) and do business.
Now there is an opportunity to rebrand the country as a progressive and modern tolerant emerging market given the generally stable economic environment, low inflation rate, growth prospects and vast mineral reserves, etc.
This can start with a formal engagement of the NRZs in assessing how they can directly help the rebranding and economic rebuilding effort as Zimbabwe cements its reputation as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
The NRZs represent a whole generation of exported Zimbabweans who can use their newly acquired skills, networks, ideas and access to resources to rebuild Zimbabwe and rebrand it.
The starting point would obviously be a skills audit and outreach programme that seeks to engage the NRZs and assess their skills and their relevance in assisting rebuild the country.
There is need to identify who has which skills and where are these individuals.
The next step would be to assess what incentives it would take to attract these skilled individuals back to Zimbabwe.
Economic sanctions have partly blocked Foreign Direct Investment, the NRZs can play a leading role in resource mobilisation.
The brain drain which was experienced by Zimbabwe over the last decade will take a great effort to recover from.
A majority of the Zimbabweans who left were mostly educated at subsidised rates at a great strain on the country's financial resources.
It is imperative then for measures to be developed to re-attract some of these highly educated, trained and experienced individuals to return to Zimbabwe and contribute in ways they can in resuscitating the economy.
The skills audit and outreach programme should include various specific incentives and measures developed with various Diaspora groups in mind.
The Diaspora is a very diverse group with different needs, skills and ambitions. Therefore a one size fits all approach will not serve the nation best.
The incentives and programs have to be developed with direct input from the NRZs and their representative groups.
These are the best people placed in helping in formulating effective policy to tap into this critical reserve of talent, skill and human capital. In the NRZ Diaspora community there are individuals who just need a job while others are capable of creating jobs.
These individuals are equally important in rebuilding the country but the incentive programme and the timing of their return to Zimbabwe may not be the same.
Others may just want to invest and a lot more would want to travel as tourists and keep in touch with families and friends and their motherland.
These differences can be properly outlined and addressed through the use of the skills audit and outreach programmes.
The modern economy is driven mostly by talent, skill and networking. These are qualities that are abundant in the NRZ Diaspora community.
The challenge remains that of an official Government policy which is inclusive and recognises the critical role which the NRZ has played and can increasingly play in Zimbabwe's recovery to ensure that the current growth rate is maintained.
-----------
At GMRI Capital, we pride ourselves on the quality and depth of our research and analysis. This means digging deeper than our competition for information and generating more useful reports.
This article is provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Prior to execution of any security trade, you are advised to consult your authorised financial advisor to verify the accuracy of all information. Neither GMRI Capital nor any independent provider is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein.
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GMRICAPITAL, telephone: 0778409875, Offices: 4 Dan Judson Road, Milton Park, Harare.
Source - GMRICAPITAL
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