Surat – At the invitation of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), Zimbabwe’s Vice President, General (Retd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, is scheduled to arrive in Surat on a two-day official visit on August 22 and 23, 2025. He will be accompanied by senior officials including Cabinet Minister Raj Modi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality; Zimbabwe’s Ambassador Stella Nkomo; and top representatives from the secretariat.
During the visit, the high-level delegation will meet leading industrialists from sectors such as agriculture, dairy, diamonds, textiles, mining, education, and energy. As per agency report, the program has been designed to explore investment, trade, and joint venture opportunities, linking Surat’s industry with African markets.
On August 22, the Vice President will visit Harekrishna Diamond in Bhathpor at 12:20 pm, followed by Aishwarya Dyeing Mills Private Limited at 3:00 pm and Sumul Dairy at 4:10 pm, along with a business meeting with local entrepreneurs. On the second day, August 23, the delegation will tour the APMC Market at 10:00 am, Shree Ramkrishna Exports in Katargam at 11:10 am, and later interact with academic and business representatives at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University at 2:00 pm. This will be followed by an interactive meeting at the Chamber of Commerce at 4:40 pm. The visit will conclude with the “Chalo Zimbabwe” event and a grand welcome ceremony at Platinum Hall in Sarsana at 5:00 pm.
The “Chalo Zimbabwe” program, hosted by SGCCI, will enable direct dialogue between the Vice President and Surat’s entrepreneurs. Discussions are expected to focus on investment, exports and imports, technology transfer, and collaboration in key sectors such as textiles, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Experts believe that this visit will act as an important bridge connecting industries in Surat and South Gujarat with African markets. Zimbabwe’s rich natural resources combined with Gujarat’s industrial expertise are seen as paving the way for a mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations.
