LONDON (Zimbabwe Investor) - The Zimbabwe Diaspora Development Interface (ZDDI) will host a discussion seminar, Debt Relief Strategies and Options for Zimbabwe in London on February 26, 2010 to discuss the country’s debt management strategies as it grapples with a debilitating foreign debt.

The seminar has been organized against the background of widespread debate in the country on the subject. The Finance Minister Tendai Biti has already put forward for consideration, the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) approach while those opposing that option argue that the country has enough natural resources to leverage an economic revival and debt management plan.

Speaking to Zimbabwe Investor, ZDDI coordinator, Msekiwa Makwanya said that the intention was not to create yet another talk-shop but to ensure that the views, knowledge and ideas discussed were shared with policy-makers in Zimbabwe with a view to promote citizen participation in national affairs.

“We believe there is need for robust debate and input by all citizens on a matter that affects us all in many different ways both directly and indirectly,” said Makwanya.

“The idea is to make it an event for serious engagement between and among participants so that if possible we can make our informed contributions into the policy-making process in this key area,” Makwanya added.

In September 2009, ZDDI hosted the Zimbabwe Diaspora Investments Conference which was attended by a high powered delegation led by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Gorden Moyo. The delegation included, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange CEO, Emmanuel Munyukwi and Zimbabwe Investment Authority CEO, Richard Mbaiwa.

The Debt Relief Strategies and Options for Zimbabwe seminar will be chaired Dr Alex Magaisa, a financial services law specialist based at Kent Law School. The panel will also include Ms Alither Mutsago, an economic advisor at the Department for Work and Pensions, Dr Blessing-Mile Tendi, researcher in politics at Oxford University and political journalist Innocent Chofamba Sithole.