FINANCIAL MODELLING TRAINING WORKSHOP

HARARE, ZIMBABWE

31 AUGUST 2012

CLOSING REMARKS

Ladies and Gentlemen

Today I am privileged to speak before you as we bring this workshop to a close. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to IDC-Zimbabwe and SADC-DFRC for organizing this workshop. A special mention to the facilitators from Africana Finance & Investment, Mr. Siyanga Malumo and Mr. Tomas Apetauer. The representative of SADC-DRFC;  Helena and her team from IDC, and all those responsible for putting this workshop together. I would also like to acknowledge the representative of the Zimbabwean DFIs here present. Well it goes without saying , yourselves the participants for taking part, your contributions during the workshop to ensure we have a successful workshop.

I am informed we have participants from other organizations outside the DFI network who are amongst us. And also that the participants have come from different countries including Lesotho, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana.

In his opening speech by the IDC-Zimbabwe, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Ndudzo highlighted that there is a need to improve business valuation skills as “we all have our prejudices, opinions, biases that affect our interpretation of data.”

This workshop provided a platform to learn, update and sharpen skills, exchange information, ideas and experiences from our respective organizations and countries in interpretation of the data and improve skills on financial modeling.

During the past five days, I am sure you have acquired new and useful knowledge in financial modeling, corporate finance and project planning and finance. This useful and relevant information should be used and implemented to assist in the sustainable and profitable management of the organizations you are here representing. Your hard work is testimony of your personal and professional commitment and you are commended for that. I also hope that you will disseminate the acquired skills and information to your peers back home. It’s been said, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”. The facilitators have shown that this is indeed the idea behind capacity building to lighten each other’s paths.

And after all your hard work, I hope you will find time to explore and enjoy Harare, our sunshine city for the remainder of your stay. I wish you all a safe and pleasant journey home.

Thank you.