A Canadian research company has rated Zimbabwe the worst country in which to do business in the mining sector. The Frazer Institute of Vancouver, British Columbia, ranked Zimbabwe last among 65 countries, states and other jurisdictions.
Canada's Manitoba Province placed first with a composite score of 93.1. Zimbabwe placed last for the second straight year, but its score rose to 2.9 from 2.4.
The Fraser Institute survey took into account public policy factors such as taxation and regulation which bear on investment in mineral exploration and mining.The report said Zimbabwe "has fallen considerably, perhaps because its record-setting bad policy environment is influencing even opinions of mineral potential."
The survey reflects the views of mining executives, exploration managers and mining consulting companies operating around the world.
Reporter Ndimyake Mwakalyelye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe spoke with Fraser Institute survey coordinator Fred McMahon about methodology and results.
Bulawayo-based economist Eric Bloch added that while the survey accurately portrays industry conditions in Zimbabwe, the survey is not likely to have much impact.