Zimbabwe Officials Talk Tax Credits, More With Towson Chamber

As Zimbabwe, the "breadbasket of Africa," emerges from years of hyperinflation, flagging agricultural production and economic mismanagement, leaders there are looking for 21st century ideas.

And during a , a group of eight Zimbabwean town officials came to Towson to learn how to harness the synergy between business, community and governmental organizations to improve the local economy.

The officials visited with Baltimore County economic development and planning officials then dropped by the for a one-hour roundtable with chamber President James Jones and Executive Director .

"I was thrilled to see that they are very interested on how to rebuild their economy over in Africa and they know that a lot of the things that we're doing in the US are helping our local businesses, which helps our local government," Hafford said.

The group, from towns including Masvinga, Redcliff, Bulawayo, Plumtree and the capital Harare, came armed with curiosity about American manufacturing and the synergy between business, residents and government.

"It needs to be taken to newer heights, because you appreciate local government. You are the government closest to the people," said Nimrod W. Chiminya, president of the Zimbabwe Local Government Association. "If we help both parties, well, we think it's certainly something that we need to pursue."

Officials were particularly curious about the American practice of tax credits, such as the ones offered by county officials to spark the redevelopment of the .

"The taxing system is different in Zimbabwe," Chiminya said. "There would have to be a lot of modifications but we certainly think we could come up with incentives to attract investors from all over the world, even internal investors."

The visit was part of the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. After visiting Washington and Baltimore, the Zimbabwean group leaves Wednesday evening for St. Louis, then Chicago.

The group was only in Towson for a matter of hours, but long enough for Chiminya to form an impression.

"It's a small place, very quiet. It's different from DC," he said. "I'd probably prefer to stay in a smaller place (like this) if I were to settle down here."

They could have gone anywhere, but the fact the trip's organizers picked Baltimore County and Towson reflects well on the area.

"All of our board of directors and our executive committee feel very honored and humbled that they chose to stop by here, the Towson chamber. We can understant why they would want to meet with our local government because we're a fiscally strong community," Hafford said. "There's not a lot of places in the United States like that."

Hafford and Chiminya both said they hoped the meeting would lead to future partnerships between Towson and Zimbabwean business groups.

"Honestly, I think we can learn some things from them. Because having a chamber where they are and their financial constraints, I'm sure they've come up with some creative ideas that they do that we haven't done yet," she said. "This wasn't just one meeting. I'm hoping this is the beginning of a very good relationship."