By William Guviyau
AS THE global economy becomes increasingly driven by knowledge and innovation, trade in services is emerging as a critical driver of economic growth and export diversification.
This presents significant opportunities for Zimbabwe to leverage its highly skilled human capital as an export asset.
In line with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and ZimTrade’s Export Strategy, the promotion of services exports has become a key priority in expanding the country’s export base and enhancing participation in international markets.
Zimbabwe continues to enjoy a strong reputation for producing highly skilled and adaptable professionals whose expertise is recognised across the globe.
The country’s competitive advantage lies in its well-trained workforce across sectors such as engineering, information and communication technology (ICT), agriculture, tourism, education, research, manufacturing, and other technical disciplines.
Recent global trade trends demonstrate growing demand for knowledge-intensive services.
According to Trademap, Thailand’s total services imports increased from approximately US$45,5 billion in 2020 to US$73,6 billion in 2024, representing cumulative growth of about 62 percent over the period.
Growth has been driven by increased demand for transport, travel, business, financial, and intellectual property-related services, reflecting Thailand’s transition towards a more knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
These developments present potential opportunities for Zimbabwean service providers and skilled professionals seeking to access international markets.
As part of its market development initiatives, ZimTrade recently conducted a market scan in Thailand to identify opportunities for both merchandise and services exports.
One of the key findings from the mission was the potential for qualified Zimbabwean professionals to participate in Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) Programme administered by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI).
The LTR Programme is designed to attract highly skilled professionals, researchers, academics, and industry experts who can contribute to Thailand’s priority economic sectors.
The programme targets talent in areas such as digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, food innovation, tourism, biotechnology, logistics, research and development, and other high-value industries.
Successful applicants are eligible for long-term residency, enabling them to contribute their expertise within Thailand’s rapidly growing economy.
The opportunities identified through the market scan are particularly relevant to Zimbabwe’s growing pool of skilled professionals.
Zimbabwe produces graduates and specialists whose qualifications and expertise align closely with the sectors prioritised under the BOI programme.
Recent expansions to the programme have further broadened opportunities for international experts involved in innovation, sustainability, higher education, specialised training, and research-related fields.
To facilitate access to these opportunities, ZimTrade is engaging the Thailand Board of Investment and other relevant stakeholders to increase awareness among Zimbabwean professionals regarding eligibility requirements, priority sectors, qualification criteria, and application procedures under the LTR Programme.
As part of these efforts, ZimTrade plans to host a virtual information seminar that will provide prospective applicants with practical guidance on accessing opportunities within Thailand’s priority industries.
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As global demand for specialised skills continues to expand, the export of professional services will play an increasingly important role in strengthening Zimbabwe’s export performance.
The opportunities identified in Thailand demonstrate how targeted market intelligence, strategic partnerships, and proactive export development initiatives can unlock new avenues for Zimbabwean professionals to participate in the global economy while contributing to national economic growth and development.
More information can be obtained on Thailand` Board of Investment website https://ltr.boi.go.th/
