The Mayor of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, Muchadeyi Masunda was in Chicago on a business trip to meet with some of the leading companies and entrepreneurs in Illinois. This was a follow up to a trip to Chicago by the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, in September, 2011. The mayor was also in Cincinnati, Ohio on the invitation of Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory for the Mayor’s Summit which brought together mayors from around the world. In his personal capacity, Mayor Masunda serves as Chairman of 12 highly successful African companies and organizations. These include Old Mutual Zimbabwe, John Sisk & Son Africa Group and Zimplats Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Impala Platinum Holdings Limited – the world leading platinum mining company that is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. During the time he was in Chicago, Mayor Masunda met with Mr. James Reynolds, Chairman and CEO of Loop Capital Markets, the largest minority owned investment bank in the United States of America. Furthermore, Mayor Masunda met with senior management of AAR, a multibillion dollar aviation company based in Wooddale, Illinois. The mayor was hosted by AAR senior management that included Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Mr. Gary Hundley and Ms. Cheryle Jackson, Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Development. The purpose of the meetings was to discuss the business opportunities in Africa and identify how American based companies can penetrate these emerging markets whose growth has continued to outpace economies in the west. President and CEO of MedGyn, Mr. Lakshman Agadi, one of the largest manufacturer and distributor of superior quality medical supplies, instruments, and equipment has committed to explore the lucrative opportunities in the region. The mayor also made a courtesy visit to the Luster Products headquarters where he met with the company’s owners. Luster Products is currently working on a nationwide launch of the company’s goods in Zimbabwe that will be held in October. About Zimbabwe Trade & Cultural Expo The Zimbabwe Trade and Cultural Expo is an organization based in Chicago, Illinois whose primary focus is the creation of new markets, increased trade, investment opportunities and partnerships between Zimbabwean, American businesses, and international corporations. ZTCE provides a platform for investors and entrepreneurs to build long term and fruitful relationships with Zimbabwean corporations and other companies in Sub-Sahara Africa.