via Netherlands rules out Zim bail out – DailyNews Live 9 MAY 2014
Netherlands says it will not advance Zimbabwe funds to finance its economic plans under the “Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation” (ZimAsset).
Gera Sneller, the country’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, said the Dutch government will morally support the southern African nation, not financially.
She suggested that Zimbabwe partners private investors rather than seek rescue packages from governments.
“I have to say that I feel Zimbabwe is at a stage where the most important thing is to work with private investors not ask for aid from individual countries… it really should not be about aid” Sneller said after a courtesy call at Information minister Jonathan Moyo’s office.
“If government follows what is being reinstated… to improve the business climate, investment will come,” the envoy said.
She said Zimbabwe is a risky destination to invest at the moment.
Sneller said Dutch investors were ready to come into the country provided government clarifies policies that protect investor interests.
“Investors should have assurance that the same laws valid today will be valid tomorrow and that the same conditions should be applicable across sectors,” she said.
The investment-starved country is desperately trying to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and access international lines of credit.
Investors and financiers however are wary of its policies, particularly the indigenisation law – compelling foreigners to cede majority shareholding to black locals.
Under ZimAsset, Zimbabwe targets to create 2,2 million jobs, unlock $1,8 trillion in idle mineral reserves and grow the economy by an average seven percent annually, among other objectives, in the next four years.
“The political environment has to be stable and the investors need assurance that the government is serious about inviting them in,” Sneller said.
Australia has also said that Zimbabwe remains a risky investment destination, likening the move to swimming in the dangerous crocodile infested Zambezi river.
Matthew Neuhaus, the country’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, said the nation has a long way to go in attracting FDI.
“Investing in Zimbabwe is like swimming in the Zambezi between crocodiles and hippos,” he said, adding that “instead of policies to encourage FDI, you have chosen indigenisation especially in the mining sector”.
He said Australian investors have found it easier to do business in Zambia and Mozambique, injecting billions of dollars in investment in the economies.
COMMENTS
No Aid and no Investments. stop everything and get rid of Mugabe and the sickness he has brought upon Zimbabawe
Pls dont invest. Jobs will only be for zpf n families.
pls don’t let them idiots off the hook, this is the right time to finish them off. In future zpf don’t rig election, without a solution to the economy. Ndiko kunonzi kufongorera museve kwamakaita, machaina enyu akuramba kudzura museve wakubayai shure.
The end is near for zanu, sure there will be trouble when they can’t pay the police or the army, they will probably go on the rampage looting etc but when that happens let’s hope that the UN move in to restore order, then an election can be held under the supervision of the UN
..getting worried about u, Andy! U cant be serious, the *king UN!
How low we have sunk. We cannot even get money off the soft headed Dutch.
I thought the Dutch supported terrorists, so why stop now. Maybe they have finally woken up.
But the herald said you were going to give us the cash.i think we need dialogue on the way foward.we the people are going to lose because at this rate i see anarchy, war and destruction.yes we might be happy to see zanu pf being punished but do you realy think they will take it lying down.a big no.they will fight like gaddafi and at the end of it all there will be nothing to lie about.i respect the opposition leader morgan tsvangirai for not taking zimbabwe that route.keep it up.power is nothing without stability.just make sure this time on dialogue talk about the truth and reconcolliation, let them keep their loot while we build our country from scratch if we forgave the racists why cant we forgive our fellow violent brothers
Hear Hear No Money for the theives – the person is politely telling them stop begging!
Nothing until Mugabe and zanupf go
As long as we can not differentiate Zimbabwe and Mugabe we will suffer as a country. I would rather support any initiative that support the economy for employment and social well being of the people. Why should we support suffocating our economy who is losing or gaining? How much have we gained by decampaigning our economy for the past 15 years?
The Zanu looters have gained . they are filthy rich. The evidence is there for all to see.
The Australian Ambassador compared investing in Zimbabwe to swimming in a crocodile infested Zambezi River. The truth is Mugabe and his cronies are the crocodiles and as long as they remain in power no investor is safe in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe and his cronies have to be removed from power. It is pointless the regime telling investors they will not seize their investments; they will not do so next month or next year but beyond no one can trust the regime not to change its mind.
Whilst Mugabe and his cronies remain in power no one will feel safe to invest in Zimbabwe; it is akin to the crocs assuring swimmer they are safe because all Zambezi River crocodiles are now vegetarians.
I said let’s hope the UN gets involved, but I agree it’s not likely
Yes roving ambassodor they are rich and so as most MDC officials. Where then does it place our citicens? Isn’t it wise to campaign for the progress of our economy to save the few jobs left and may be create more? should we honestly continue to celebrate the demise of our country because zanu will benefit especially when we know that in which ever way they continue to gain? We would rather have our economy grow instead and seperate it from politics. Political parties come and go but zimbabwe is here to stay therefore we must promote our country because if we dont noone will.
How can you separate the economy from politics when the two were tightly glued together by the revolutionary party. If you cant see that our economic problem is politics its a good thing we dont look to people like you to solve the problem.
Pafunge i was not talking to people with half a brain like you. Zimbabwe is not zanu knither is it mdc.