Harare (New Ziana) -British firm, Better Energy Company, is interested in setting up a 1 000 Megawatt solar energy plant in the country while the Private Infrastructure Development Group has set aside US$5 billion for another one, Cabinet heard on Tuesday.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr Frederick Shava said this in a report to Cabinet on the visit by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the United Kingdom for the Coronation of King Charles the
3rd and Queen Camilla last Saturday.
Dr Shava said Better Energy Company was also interested in constructing houses and conference centres, mining, and infrastructure, while the Private Infrastructure Development Group has set aside US$5 billion for
a solar project for which it is keen to enter into a contract with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.
As part of the Second Republic’s mantra that Zimbabwe is Open for Business, President Mnangagwa met with business leaders, including the chairperson of the Westminster Africa Group during the visit.
The business leaders represented sectors that included mining, telecommunications, energy, infrastructure development, aviation, financial technology and healthcare.
Among the companies were Newbridge Resources, Clear Mobitel, the Financial Markets Indaba, Better EnergyCompany and the Private Infrastructure Development Group.
”Newbridge Resources expressed interest in a remote sensing project through which collection of information about the Earth can be done from a distance,” said Dr Shava.
Clear Mobitel wishes to invest in technology in the areas of financial technology (FinTech), health and education as well as connecting a 5G network across the country.
“The Financial Markets Indaba facilitates trade and investment missions in Zimbabwe and around the world for investors interested in Africa.
Better Energy Company is interested in investing in a massive 1 000MW solar energy project. It also has interests in the construction of housing and conference centres, mining, and infrastructure. Private Infrastructure Development Group has set aside US$5 billion for a solar project and intends to enter into a solar project contract with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.”
In line with the Second Republic’s re-engagement and engagement thrust, President also met with the UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell.
President Mnangagwa noted the progress that has been made in strengthening bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom as evidenced by the increase in exchange visits, and renewed interest in promoting trade, investment and tourism opportunities across major economic sectors.
Mitchell highlighted his interest in mending Zimbabwe/UK relations which he would want to be elevated to a higher level.
President Mnangagwa also met with Commonwealth secretary general Patricia Scotland who said the secretariat was finalising the report on Zimbabwe before submission to the Commonwealth chairperson, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Scotland indicated that 21 African members of the Commonwealth were supportive of Zimbabwe’s re-admittance into the grouping.
New Ziana
