President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Thursday called on foreign investors to consider doing business in his country, assuring them that their investments were safe. Mugabe gave the assurance while speaking to business leaders in Pretoria as he rounded off his two-day state visit to South Africa, his first since 1994.

Foreign investors are often skeptical about investing in the Southern African country due to a controversial indigenous policy that demands foreigne investors to cede 50 percent of their businesses to the locals.

“I wish to assure all of you that Zimbabwe is open for business. Zimbabwe is a genuine and sincere partner to all those who are similarly disposed,” Mugabe said.

He urged South African companies to seize the opportunity to partner with Zimbabwean firms in joint ventures.

No one should come for employment but for “better things” as employers, the 91-year-old president said.

South Africa is Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner. Between 2005 and 2014 South Africa’s exports to Zimbabwe grew by 247 percent to 24.8 billion rand ($2.1 billion) from from 7.1 billion rand ($590 million). But Zimbabwean exports to South Africa fell in the same period by 54.7 percent to 2 billion rand ($166 million) from 4.4 billion rand ($366 million).

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma also spoke at the forum. He said the meeting was aimed at cementing the trade relations between the two countries whilst exploring new opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

“The existing trade relations and potential for further cooperation amplify the need for regional integration to be at the top of our economic agenda,” said Zuma.