津巴布韦在埃默森·姆南加古瓦总统的领导下已经进入了经济发展新时期，它将致力于吸引私人投资以刺激国内经济的复苏
文｜保罗 · 奇卡瓦（H. E. Mr. Paul Chikawa） 津巴布韦共和国驻华大使 翻译｜王晓波
● 投资指南
● 津巴布韦与中国的投资合作
● 传授专项技术
中国和津巴布韦是全天候的朋友，两国关系经历了时代的考验。早在上世纪六十年代，中国就积极支持津巴布韦的解放战争。从那时起，两国始终共同面对严峻的挑战并分享胜利的喜悦。两国间良好的政治关系为双方经济合作奠定了坚实的基础。因此，在津巴布韦开启新的经济发展时代之际，我们确信中国将发挥至关重要的作用。
津巴布韦在埃默森·姆南加古瓦总统的领导下已经进入了经济发展新时期，它将致力于吸引私人投资以刺激国内经济的复苏。所有迹象都表明，津巴布韦将努力恢复其非洲经济大国的地位。为了实现这一目标，政府已经意识到外国直接投资的重要性，因为它能够为国家带来技术、资金，并创造就业机会。
总统埃默森·姆南加古瓦在就职演说中表示，津巴布韦的经济政策将以农业作为支柱产业，但同时也要开放商业，并清除所有干扰投资流入的阻碍。
投资指南
为了吸引外商直接投资，针对一些引起潜在投资者关切的问题，政府有必要对相关的投资政策重新进行考虑。2018年1月18日，津巴布韦政府颁布了投资指南,并在投资机遇方面规划了蓝图。投资指南给出了国家投资政策战略，并列出了在农业、采矿业、制造业、旅游业、信息通信和技术以及基础设施建设领域的投资机会。这一新的投资指南有望帮助政府解决国内面临的高失业率和经济低增长等挑战。
津巴布韦政府致力于创造良好的营商氛围，从而促进经济增长，加强竞争力，并为津巴布韦人民提供更多的就业机会。新经济政策旨在提升效率、效益和透明度，使津巴布韦能够成为最佳的投资目的国。此外，政府还将依照健全的投资原则和国际习惯做法营造经济环境，包括取消歧视、有效保护财产权和高标准的国家治理等举措。
在津巴布韦，最具争议的问题就是对境外投资形成阻力的本土化和经济授权法案。政府将继续鼓励国际机构与津巴布韦公司之间建立合作关系，但同时也将对该法案中关于采掘领域的两种矿物质——钻石和白金的开采规定进行修改，取消以前本土化必须达到百分之五十一的限制。这一修正将大大提高津巴布韦的投资质量。
投资指南将有助于恢复投资者对津巴布韦营商环境的信心，并增投资的可预测性。与此同时，政府还将着手解决津巴布韦经商便利化的问题。
中国的投资者们主要担忧的是政策缺乏一致性的问题。为了消除他们这方面的顾虑，政府正在制定与投资有关的所有法律、条例、行政指导方针和政策，它们将在充分协商后颁布执行，这样就可以确保投资者的投资安全。
⬆中国车企在津巴布韦首辆组装汽车下线
津巴布韦与中国的投资合作
基础设施建设
通过优惠的商业贷款，中国政府已经帮助津巴布韦发展了几个基础设施项目，比如，发电厂的建设、机场扩建、供水和下水道系统的重建以及学校、医院、议会大厦（新项目）和信息通信网络的建设。
基础设施建设是实现经济增长和发展的先决条件，并且能够提升其它经济部门的工作效率，比如制造业、贸易和旅游业。中国的投资者们可以考虑参与铁路基础设施的建设、高速公路的扩建和现代化改造以及水网区、发电厂和大坝的建设等。投资的方式既可以是建设-运营-转让（BOT），也可以是建设-拥有-运营-转让（BOOT）。
下面是一些可供考虑的投资项目：
1）戈奎北火电站；
2）西部电厂；
3）羽扇豆煤层气区域开发；
4）小型水力发电站；
5）小型火力发电站；
6）输配电网络；
7）太阳能；位于关达的100兆瓦的太阳能发电厂；
在新经济发展时期，津巴布韦政府正在通过出售部分或全部股权的方式对一些国有企业进行私有化改制。预计这些公司的私有化将吸引到新资本、经营理念和现代技术。中国的投资者可以利用这一机会对这些公司进行投资。在将被私有化的公司中，有一些受到津巴布韦工业发展公司（IDCZ）的管辖，比如：
1）津巴布韦玻璃产业（ZimGlass）——从事玻璃容器制造（参股形式）；
2）Chemplex有限公司（参股现有实体）；
3）石材集团有限公司；
4）多种类果汁和鳄梨加工；
一带一路倡议（BRI）
津巴布韦不仅沿海，而且与南非和莫桑比克这些沿海国家接壤，这使得它有机会从 “一带一路”倡议中获益。“一带一路”大力倡导的发展基础设施建设对津巴布韦非常有利——在这一倡议下，沿海国家都将兴建公路和铁路。现在东非国家已经利用中国的资金和技术修建了一条始于蒙巴萨的铁路。一旦坦桑尼亚和乌干达之间建成一条途径肯尼亚的铁路，它就会与另一端位于赞比亚的坦赞铁路线连接起来，而津巴布韦和赞比亚之间已经有铁路连接。这样一来，津巴布韦就可以与直至乌干达的所有南部非洲国家连接起来，这将使其把商品运输到东部和南部非洲的共同市场（COMESA）以及其它第三方市场变得更加方便。
金融援助
经济的可持续发展，需要财政援助为有关项目和方案提供资金。中国在津巴布韦基础设施项目建设的融资方面发挥着重要作用，这种重要性无论怎样表达都不过分。中国政府通过商务部或以贷款的方式对一些项目给予了资金援助。津巴布韦还有机会通过中非合作论坛（FOCAC）获得资金，包括来自中国进出口银行（China Eximbank）的贷款以及中国在津巴布韦的投资。中方的投资者通常会得到国家开发银行、中非发展基金（CADFUND）或商业银行的融资。这些融资需要得到中国出口信用保险公司的担保，就如同商业贷款需经中国进出口银行担保一样。津巴布韦的新政府已经公开承诺要去除一切妨碍外国投资的障碍。
在津巴布韦目前面对的诸多挑战中，流动资金短缺是最为严重的一个问题，如果中国政府与津巴布韦政府能够制定出信用额度机制或达成一定的理解，可以帮助津巴布韦摆脱当前的资金压力。中国是津巴布韦全天候的朋友，津巴布韦也确实需要中方的帮助，为其雄心勃勃的经济复苏计划提供资金。
对经济特区提供的财政奖励政策
农业
津巴布韦拥有肥沃的土壤和极好的气候条件，这对农作物生长和畜牧业都非常有利，具备种植向日葵、花生、大麦、甘蔗、玉米和畜禽养殖的条件。这一领域的投资可以通过提供新技术和耕作方法、农用设备以及运营资金来实现。
制造业
津巴布韦的制造业种类繁多，它们大多与农业和采矿业相关。津巴布韦与中国签署了一项协议，可以使中国相关产业企业向津巴布韦投资。该协议是由中国国家发改委（NDRC）与津巴布韦总统和内阁办公室共同签署的。2015年12月，中国国家主席习近平在对津巴布韦进行国事访问时与津巴布韦总统共同出席并见证了签字仪式。
制造业方面的机会有：
● 农机制造、农药、化肥和农业灌溉设备；
● 从棉花到服装产业链的发展：轧棉、纺纱、织造、整理、纺织、针织品和服装；
● 皮革产业产业链的发展：皮革加工、各种皮革制品和鞋类的制造；
● 大豆产业产业链的发展：润滑油和洗涤剂的制造；
● 药品和医疗设备的制造；
● 烟草加工成香烟与医药产品；
● 矿物筛选和金属深加工；
● 机动车辆装配；
● 罐装水果和蔬菜；
● 肉类加工。
经济特区（SEZs）
作为促进投资的一种方式，津巴布韦政府希望加速经济特区（SEZs）的开发建设。现在有三个重点经济特区已经得到认可，它们分别位于布拉瓦约、哈拉雷和维多利亚瀑布城。成立经济特区的目的就是吸引投资，增加出口，并且通过在这些区域为投资者提供优惠的激励政策，促进产业升级和增值。津巴布韦愿意向中国学习管理经济特区的成功经验。津巴布韦政府已经推出了一些鼓励投资的激励措施，期望来自中国的投资者能率先在这些特区进行投资。激励措施有：
传授专项技术
采矿业
现在一些中国投资者正在开采黄金、铬、煤、石料等，我们希望能有更多的中国投资者投资采矿业。他们可以从事采矿、产业增值、供应采矿设备或运输业。津巴布韦拥有丰富的钻石、白金、镍、铬、锂、锡、铜、钽铁矿、石材矿、煤层气、煤和其他矿物资源。我们欢迎中国投资者投资采矿业，因为他们对在津巴布韦发现的大多数矿物都具有专业的采矿和选矿的技能和经验。
对境外投资者进入经济特区的非财政奖励
服务业
旅游业
津巴布韦的服务业也有许多投资机会，特别是旅游业。中方投资者可以投资酒店、餐饮业、狩猎和旅行、博彩业，兴建国际会议中心，开发旅游设施和对现有设施进行改造。要发展旅游业，还需要考虑增加交通车辆和船只数量。投资者也可以在像维多利亚瀑布这样的旅游景点投资修建购物中心和免税店。在津巴布韦值得一游的景点很多，比如：维多利亚瀑布、平衡岩、马托博丘陵、大津巴布韦遗址、东部山地、
马纳潭国家公园、万基和哥瑞纳州动物保护区。中国的航空公司可考虑开通中国与津巴布韦的直航，从而增加前往津巴布韦旅游的游客人数。
金融业
津巴布韦资金短缺，因此投资者应当利用这一机会对津巴布韦现有的金融机构或者绿色项目进行投资。位于维多利亚瀑布城的经济特区将重点打造国际金融机构，中国的投资者可以在这里投资银行、保险公司或其它感兴趣的领域。
贸易关系
津巴布韦积极致力于经济复苏，因此非常希望增加对中国的出口，出口的原料包括：黄金、铬、黑石、烟叶、棉花、柑橘和玫瑰。此外，津巴布韦还在极力促进成品的出口，比如香料、饼干、茶叶和饮料。目前，中国向津巴布韦出口的是设备和机械，主要用于制造业、采矿业和农业。中国与津巴布韦之间增加贸易互动的可能性是绝对存在的。
投资优势
津巴布韦地处南共体中心，地理位置优越。它的南部与南非接壤，北部紧邻赞比亚，东部是莫桑比克，西部是博茨瓦纳。而且距离其他南共体国家也都很近，比如，刚果民主共和国、莱索托、马拉维、纳米比亚、斯威士兰和坦桑尼亚。
津巴布韦的交通和通讯基础设施都很发达，这对于投资非常有利。津巴布韦的劳动力资源都具备较高的技能，接受过良好的教育，并且能够友好相处，因此对其进行再培训是一件很容易的事。
埃默森·姆南加古瓦总统表示， 他所领导的政府将尽一切可能帮助外来投资者在津巴布韦创业，并且热切地希望那些有意愿的投资者能够抢占先机，充分利用津巴布韦大量的投资机会。他说，津巴布韦的愿景就是积极进取的人都能投身到正在进行的经济改革中，并且利用目前诸多投资机遇，在这片处女地上发挥作用。
中国在津巴布韦经济发展新时期所能发挥的作用怎样强调都不过分。津巴布韦期盼中国的投资者抓住大量的投资机会，并充分利用与之配套颇具吸引力的投资政策。俗话说，早起的鸟儿有食吃。我们鼓励投资者们到津巴布韦实地考查，亲自了解这里无限的商机。我们深知中国人所具有的经验和丰厚的资源，因此我们极其渴望中国的投资者能够参与到我们国家的经济复苏进程中来。津巴布韦是开放的，欢迎你们前来投资、创业、经商！（编辑：常浩）
The Role of China in the New Zimbabwe Economic Development Era
By H.E. Mr. Paul Chikawa, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the People's Republic of China
The relationship between China and Zimbabwe can be described as that of all weather friends that has passed the test of time. The two countries have been there for each other during challenging and happy times from as far back as the 1960s when China supported Zimbabwe during the latter’s war of liberation. The good political relationship between the two countries presents a good basis for economic cooperation. China is, therefore, expected to play a key role in the new economic dispensation.
Zimbabwe, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has entered a new economic development phase in which it is determined to attract private investment to stimulate economic recovery. All indications are Zimbabwe is set to reclaim its position as an economic giant in Africa. To achieve that position, the Government recognizes the importance of foreign direct investment that comes with modern technology, capital and job creation.
In his inauguration speech His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa said that Zimbabwe’s economic policy was going to be predicated on agriculture as the mainstay of the economy. The bottom line is that Zimbabwe is open to business and is prepared to correct all those issues that have been a deterrent to the high inflow of investment.
Investment Guidelines
To attract foreign direct investment, it became very necessary to review the investment policies taking into consideration concerns that were being raised by some prospective investors. On 18 January, 2018, the Government of Zimbabwe launched the Investment Guidelines and Opportunities blueprint. These Guidelines outline the country’s investment policy strategy, and present available investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, information communication and technology (ICT), and infrastructure development sectors. The new Investment Guidelines are expected to help the Government address, among other issues, domestic challenges such as high unemployment levels and low economic growth.
The Government of Zimbabwe is committed to create a conducive business environment that enhances growth and competitiveness and brings jobs and opportunities to the people of Zimbabwe. The new policies seek to address issues of efficiency, effectiveness and transparency, so as to render Zimbabwe the best investment destination. Further, the Government is committed to building an economy founded on sound investment principles and international best practices such as non-discrimination, effective protection of property rights and high standards of governance.
One of the most contentious issues viewed as deterrent to foreign investment in Zimbabwe was the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act. While the Government continues to encourage partnerships between international and Zimbabwean firms, the Act will be amended to confine the 51/49 percent indigenisation threshold to two minerals in the extractive sector, namely diamonds and platinum. The amendment of this Act will go a long way in improving the quality of investment into Zimbabwe.
The Investment Guidelines are expected to contribute to the restoration of business confidence and to create predictability within the investment community. At the same time the Government is addressing the Ease of Doing Business in Zimbabwe.
One of the major concerns of prospective and current Chinese investors was the issue of policy inconsistencies. To address that, when the Government is enacting all laws, regulations, administrative guidelines and policies pertaining to investment, it will ensure that they are enacted following proper notice and consultations. This is aimed at assuring investors of the safety of their investment.
Zimbabwe/China Investment Cooperation
Infrastructure Development
The Chinese Government, through concessional and commercial loans, has assisted Zimbabwe in infrastructure development projects such as in the rehabilitation of energy power plants, airports extensions, rehabilitation of water and sewer systems, construction of schools, hospitals, parliament (new project) and ICT.
Infrastructure development is a pre-requisite for achieving economic growth and development and may facilitate improved functioning of other sectors of the economy such as manufacturing, trade and tourism. The Chinese investors may consider participating in the rehabilitation of the railway infrastructure, expansion and modernization of highways, water reticulation, power generation and dam construction. Investment may be in the form of Build Operate and Transfer (BOT), or Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT).
The following projects are available for consideration;
a) Gokwe North Thermal Power Station,
b) Western Area Power Plant,
c) Lupane Coal Bed Methane,
d) Mini Hydro Power, (where?)
e) Small Thermal Power Stations,
f) Transmission and Distribution Networks and
h) Solar Energy; a 100MW solar plant in Gwanda.
In the New Economic Development Era, the Government of Zimbabwe is privatizing some State owned Enterprises through disposing part of its shareholding or completely disinvesting. The privatization of the companies is expected to attract new capital, new ideas and modern technology. Chinese investors may take this opportunity to invest in these companies. Included in the companies to be privatized are those under the management of the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ) such as:
a) Zimbabwe Glass Industries (ZimGlass) – container glass manufacturing, (equity participation);
b) Chemplex Corporation Limited (equity participation in an existing entity);
c) Stone Holdings Limited, and
d) Multi-Fruit Juice and Avocado Processing.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
While Zimbabwe is not along the sea coastline, it shares borders with coastal countries like South Africa and Mozambique. There is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative that is connecting China to all continents. Zimbabwe may benefit from the BRI infrastructure development – roads and rail constructed under this initiative in the coastal countries. There is a railway line connecting East African countries starting from Mombasa constructed using the Chinese resources. Once there is a railway connection between Tanzania and Uganda via Kenya, the new railway will be connected to TAZARA railway line that ends in Zambia. Zimbabwe and Zambia are already connected by rail. Therefore, Zimbabwe together with all the Southern African countries will be connected to Uganda by rail. Zimbabwe would benefit a lot from this development as it will be easier to transport bulk products to the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) as well as the Tripartite Market.
Financial Assistance
For the New Economic Dispensation to be a success there is need for financial assistance to fund the projects and programs. The role of China in helping Zimbabwe finance infrastructure development projects can never be over emphasized. The Chinese Government may fund some agreed projects as grants directly through the Ministry of Commerce or through loans. There are opportunities for Zimbabwe to access funding through the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Such funding comes as loans from the China Import and Export Bank (China Eximbank) or financing of Chinese investment into Zimbabwe. Chinese investors are usually financed by the China Development Bank, China Africa Development Fund (CADFUND) or commercial banks. Such funding needs insurance from SINOSURE just like Commercial Loans financed through China Eximbank. The new Government has given public assurance on its commitment to remove all impediments to foreign investment
Among the current challenges facing Zimbabwe, is the liquidity shortages, there is an opportunity for both the Chinese and Zimbabwean Governments to work out some mechanism of coming up with Lines of Credit or some understanding to help Zimbabwe out of the current liquidity pressure. As China is Zimbabwe’s all weather friend, Zimbabwe needs the Chinese assistance to finance the ambitious economic recovery program.
Agriculture
Zimbabwe is blessed with fertile soils and wonderful climatic conditions, that good for both crop and livestock farming. Opportunities are also available in production of sunflower, groundnuts, barley, sugar cane, corn and livestock farming, among others. Investment may be in the form of providing new technology and farming methods, farming equipment and working capital.
Fiscal Incentives on Offer into Special Economic Zones
Manufacturing Sector
The Zimbabwe manufacturing sector is well diversified and is linked with the agriculture and mining sectors as it beneficiates products from those two sectors. Zimbabwe and China signed an agreement that provides for Chinese companies with excess capacity to invest in Zimbabwe. The agreement was signed by the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC) and the Office of the President and Cabinet and was witnessed by the Presidents of China and Zimbabwe during the State Visit of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, in December, 2015. Investment opportunities are in the:
• Manufacture of agricultural machinery and equipment, agro-chemicals, fertilisers and irrigation equipment to support the agricultural sector.
• Cotton-to-clothing value chain development, cotton ginning, spinning, weaving, finishing textiles, knitting products and clothing.
• Leather sector value chain development, leather processing and manufactures of a wide range of leather products and footwear.
• Soya bean value chain development, oil expressing and detergents manufacturing.
• Manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
• Tobacco processing into cigarettes and pharmaceutical products.
• Mineral beneficiation and metals value-addition.
• Motor vehicle assembly.
• Canning of fruit and vegetables and
• Meat processing
Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
The Government intends to accelerate the implementation of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as a tool of investment promotion. Currently, there are three pioneer Special Economic Zones that have been identified in Bulawayo, Harare and Victoria Falls. The aim of establishing the SEZs is to attract investments, increase exports, and promote value addition and beneficiation through offering special and appropriate incentives to investors within the identified zones. Zimbabwe would like to learn from the Chinese experience in operating Special Economic Zones. The Government has put in place some of the incentives for investing in the SEZs and Chinese investors are expected to lead the way in investing in the SEZs. The incentives include the following:
IMPARTING TECH-KNOWHOW
Mining
Currently there are a number of Chinese investors in the mining sector mining gold, chrome, coal, dimension stone and others. More Chinese investors are invited to invest in the sector. They may do the actual mining, value addition, supply of mining equipment or in transport. Zimbabwe has abundant deposits of diamonds, platinum, nickel, chrome, lithium, tin, copper, tantalite, dimension stone, coal bed methane, coal and other minerals. The Chinese investors are invited to invest in the sector because they have expertise in mining and beneficiation of most of the minerals found in Zimbabwe.
Services Sector
Tourism
The services sector has a lot of investment opportunities, especially in tourism where the Chinese may consider investing in the hotel and catering industry, safari and tour operations, gaming, construction of international convention centers and developing of tourism facilities and adding value to the existing ones. The sector requires vehicles and boats to boost tourism. Investors may consider investing in shopping centers or malls and duty-free shops in tourist destinations like Victoria Falls. Lack of additional activities at the natural tourist destinations result in very limited visit days because other than visiting sites there is nothing else do. The Chinese tourists are also invited to visit areas of interest in Zimbabwe that include among others, the Victoria Falls, Balancing Rocks, Matopo Hills, the Great Zimbabwe, the Eastern Highlands, Mana Pools, Hwange and Gonarezhou Game Reserves. Chinese airlines may consider flying directly between China and Zimbabwe, thereby increasing Chinese tourists’ arrivals into Zimbabwe.
Non-fiscal incentives for foreign investors into Special Economic Zonesa
Financial Sector
Zimbabwe is thirsty for Funding, investors may take the opportunity to invest in the existing financial institutions or invest in green projects in the sector. The Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone is targeted to house international financial institutions, Chinese investors may, therefore, invest in banks, insurance or any other areas of interest.
Trade relations
As Zimbabwe aggressively works towards economic recovery, there are initiatives to increase exports to China. Zimbabwe wishes to export gold, chrome, dimension black stone, tobacco leaf, cotton, oranges and roses. Zimbabwe in also promoting exports of manufactured products such as spices, biscuits, teas and beverages. Currently, China exports to Zimbabwe equipment and machinery, mostly for use in the manufacturing, mining and agriculture sectors. There is an opportunity for increased trade relations between China and Zimbabwe.
Conclusion
Well located at an advantageous position in the center of the SADC Region, Zimbabwe shares borders with South Africa to the south, Zambia to the North, Mozambique to the East, Botswana to the West and it is not far from other SADC countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland, and Tanzania.
There is a well developed transport and communication infrastructure to support any investment in the country. Zimbabwe has highly skilled, and educated and friendly human capital that is easily trainable.
His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa said that his Government was going to do everything possible to assist investors keen on starting businesses in Zimbabwe and urged those interested to take the first-mover advantage, to explore the abundant investment opportunities in the country. He said that Zimbabwe was now a vision every progressive person wanted to be associated with given ongoing economic reforms and innumerable virgin investment opportunities it presented.
The role of China in the New Economic Development Era can never be over-emphasized. Zimbabwe looks up to the Chinese to grab the vast investment opportunities that come with the new attractive investment policies. The early bird catches the best worm. Investors are encouraged to visit Zimbabwe to get first-hand experience of the available limitless investment and business opportunities. With the experience and resources the Chinese have, Zimbabwe looks forward to Chinese investors participating in the economic revival of the country. Zimbabwe is indeed open for business.