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Microsoft chief Bill Gates jets into Harare
Business Reporter
MICROSOFT chairman and chief software
architect Mr Bill Gates jetted into Zimbabwe on Wednesday to conclude a deal
with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono on the multinational
companyâs intentions to set up shop in this country.
Negotiations
between Microsoft and Zimbabwe began in June last year following Dr Gonoâs visit
to the United States where he held meetings with Mr Gates on the sidelines of
consultative meetings with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Mr Gatesâs visit comes hardly two months after a high-powered technical
team from Microsoft arrived in the country to assess the feasibility of setting
up a subsidiary here.
After his meeting with Dr Gono on Wednesday, Mr
Gates said he was convinced that contrary to international media reports,
Zimbabwe exuded immense potential for economic growth.
His company would
benefit from the current economic turnaround wave. He said reports by his teams
on investment potential in Zimbabwe had left him convinced that the country
could become part of the Microsoft empire in the Africa and Middle East region.
"With its core markets maturing, Microsoft is targeting opportunities
for growth in unexplored markets and Zimbabwe is one country with which we
intend doing big business," said the multi-billionaire computer guru.
He
said Zimbabweâs location in Southern Africa was strategic in Microsoftâs plans
to penetrate the region in a big way.
Although figures were not readily
available at this stage, Herald Business understands that Microsoft intends to
invest at least US$500 million in the first phase of its operations here.
Dr Gono was evasive on the actual figures saying information on the deal
could not be released at this stage.
However, he said the arrival of Mr
Gates was testimony that Microsoft was taking Zimbabwe seriously.
"As
monetary authorities we are convinced that the international community and large
companies out there are beginning to realise that Zimbabweâs economy has indeed
turned the corner.
"As I stated in my monetary policy statement in
January, this year is a year of investment and our discussions with Microsoft
are ample evidence that we mean business," said Dr Gono.
Mr Gates is
scheduled to meet Information Technology expects and computer geeks at Meikles
Hotel this morning at 10.
The central bank is inviting all computer
enthusiasts, particularly from the banking sector, to take advantage of Mr
Gatesâ presence.
The Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni,
Uganda is in
anarchy"
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
"avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans
l'anarchie"
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