Is it now or never for Zimbabwe?

A nation in constant political flux is a nation which I am naturally intrigued to document, and so it is that I have done so almost daily on this blog. In documenting today, I find there is greater potential for corporate investment through greater progression in the Zimbabwean government’s transparency and in the government’s infrastructure itself. I am happily not the one who needed to be convinced - I merely follow suit with the political leaders of both the United States and Great Britain. By showing support, albeit slight ($73 million USD from the US, $8.2 million from the UK), the west is united in stating that change begets trust. However, I share the tentative attitudes of both governments in that more reforms are needed before large-scale development aid can be granted to the shattered country.

Herein lies a perfect example of how political risk is perhaps the ultimate red flag for investors, and curbing it the ultimate green. 

I agree with Prime Minister Gordon Brown that the road to true democracy is one yet to be taken in full by this new united Zimbabwean front but that this support should be seen as a symbol of hope from the west and utilized transparently and open for scrutiny for domestic progress. Mr Brown also announced 4 million pounds of food aid and 1 million pounds for school textbooks, bringing total British “transitional support” for the Zimbabwean Government this year to 60 million pounds.

Although I have always been wary of Zimbabwe’s potential for progress with Robert Mugabe as President, I too will show patience and even let bygones be bygones regarding my personal opinion while support is being granted, corporate eyebrows are being raised and a nation hopefully gets back on its feet.