Financial Markets Indaba is hosting the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference in Cape Town on the 11th of April and in Johannesburg on the 12th of April 2024
The aim of the Zimbabwe Capital Markets Conference is to highlight and recognise the important role played by capital markets in economic development and preservation and growth of households’ savings. The conference also focuses on opportunities available in different sectors outlining the opportunities for diaspora, institutional investors and investment firms to allocate capital in different asset classes. Finally, it serves as an opportunity to demystify complexities and myths that surround participating in financial markets while encouraging individuals to participate on local markets including stock exchanges.
Capital markets offer investment alternatives. The number of stock exchanges on the continent has grown from five in 1989 to 28 today, with stock markets growing continuously in the number of shares listed and the traded volume. In Zimbabwe the ZSE is the backbone of the country’s capital market with a history dating back as far as 1896. It is one of the oldest and most highly diversified exchanges in Africa given listings spanning all key sectors of the economy.
Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, is a financial offshore centre that trades in foreign currency and is earmarked for the special economic zone in Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe’s capital markets continue to evolve. Consensus amongst capital markets players has it that currently the sector has an untapped potential contribution to economic growth. The market keeps transforming and building capacity to offer a wide variety of new products. Read More
The recent establishment of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) is one of the many initiatives Government is pursuing to stabilize the economy and attract foreign direct investments. There is growing activity on the VFEX with a number of companies showing interest to list on the foreign currency-denominated bourse to seek to take advantage of offshore settlement options which allow investors to efficiently repatriate their dividends. The launch of the VFEX has been a game changer and the Government expects that it will emerge as a competitive global platform to raise capital and this will transform the country’s tourism capital into an attractive Offshore Financial Services Centre.
Victoria Falls Offshore Financial Center
Zimbabwe plans to set up an offshore financial center in the resort city of Victoria Falls that the government hopes will emulate the likes of Dubai and the Isle of Man to attract foreign investment. The financial centre will be a hard-currency zone, based in US dollars, and offer tax incentives. In addition to banking activities, other services provided by offshore centers include fund management, insurance, trust business, tax planning, and IBC activity. The conference provides a high profile opportunity to present the City of Victoria Falls clear and distinct advantages as an Offshore Financial Centre to an audience which has significant decision-making influence.
The three-day conference program will include the following:
- Companies listed on VFEX will deliver presentations showcasing their success stories and outlining their value propositions to predominantly investor-focused attendees.
- The main plenary sessions will feature panel discussions involving investment firms, corporate entities, and senior government officials. These discussions aim to foster engagement with delegates and participants on topics such as opportunities, policies, efforts to mitigate investment risks and costs, and enhancing the business environment.
- Prior to the conference, FMI will verify participants, with a preference for established institutions or high-net-worth individuals interested in engaging with government representatives and delegates through side meetings during the conference’s B2B sessions.
Financial Markets Indaba has the aim of mobilising investment through convening diaspora, leading global institutional investors, corporate leaders, industry experts and our team of analysts to explore sector and market trends and identify significant investment opportunities. Through thought leadership, productive exchange of ideas and sharing practices, the conference delegates and participants discuss how to integrate and align regulatory framework with new strategies, business models, financial measures, and investment decisions. FMI is a unit of Emergent Capital Management (ECM) www.ecminvest.com which is licensed and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe.
