Thursday, May 13, 2010

Zimbabwe Vice-President Says West Plotting Against Economy

West plotting: VP Mujuru

Herald Reporter

Vice President Joice Mujuru has called for the speedy implementation of business agreements signed between Zimbabwe and China to defeat Western machinations to destabilise the country’s economy.

In a meeting with visiting Chinese Deputy Governor of Hubei Province, Mr Li Xian Sheng, in Harare yesterday, VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe’s enemies were devising new methods of destroying the economy.

"If we do not make things happen quickly within a short space of time something will happen because the Western world is not willing to leave Zimbabwe alone.

"Right now they are crafting yet another bill which is even worse than Zidera.

"I think that the more we do our business quickly, the better it will be for the people of Zimbabwe and the economy," she said.

She cited the Gwayi–Shanghani and Kunzvi dams as examples of projects that required urgent completion.

Mr Li said: "Zimbabwe and China share the same history and the Chinese revolution starts with the land revolution.

"Land reform is the solid foundation to your country’s agricultural prosperity."

Beijing plans to fund a number of projects worth millions of dollars in the next three years.

Chinese Ambassador in Harare Mr Xin Shunkang told journalists on Wednesday after meeting Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo at the party’s headquarters that the projects were part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

"China and Zimbabwe enjoy good relations and as a way of improving our relations, we are going to donate funds to implement various projects in Zimbabwe

"We are going to fund the construction of two schools and extend another US$1,4 million for medical equipment.

"We are also going to fund the construction of a power station, a biogas station and a water treatment plant and all these projects will be completed in the next three years,’’ he said.

The Chinese government, he said, would also finance drilling of 500 boreholes across Zimbabwe.

Ambassador Xin said Sino-Zimbabwe ties were "a typical example" of cordial relations between a big country and a small nation.

Cde Khaya Moyo lauded the relations between Zimbabwe and China.

"China is our all-weather friend and has supported us even at the United Nations Security Council when Britain and its allies wanted to impose sanctions on us," he said.

Cde Khaya-Moyo said he had been meeting ambassadors at his party office to exchange notes on how the country could improve relations with their countries.

He said he insisted that meetings with ambassadors be held at the party headquarters because Government business started at party level.

"I have met the British, Palestinian, Libyan and EU ambassadors to Zimbabwe and things seem to be improving,’’ said Cde Khaya-Moyo.


Zim, SA agree on one-stop border

From Thupeyo Muleya in MUSINA, South Africa

ZIMBABWE and South Africa have agreed to implement a one-stop border post concept at Beitbridge during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

It is understood that customs and immigration officials from both countries will be working from one point to speed up the flow of human and vehicle traffic.

Under the temporary arrangement, travellers will be cleared once for passage into the two countries.

At the moment people travelling to South Africa queue for clearance on the Zimbabwean side and also on the other side of the border.

Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts were selected as one-stop border sites in light of their high economic activity in the region.

The system is working full-time at Chirundu while authorities from South Africa and Zimbabwe are working towards implementing it permanently at Beitbridge.

Addressing delegates during the formulation of the Beitbridge Rural District Council and Musina 2010 Fifa Disaster Contingency Plan on Wednesday, South Africa immigration official Mr Anyone Motebele said they were fully geared for an influx of travellers during the soccer jamboree.

"We have put in place measures to ease congestion and speed the flow of traffic between the two countries.

"At the moment we have mounted tents on both sides of the Zimbabwean border where port authorities from the two countries will work under one roof and clear travellers for passage into either country once.

"Our main worry remains on the staff complement . . . we have 21 officers per shift and would need an extra 15 to work at full strength.

"Furthermore, we have installed new clearance systems that will ease congestion, which has become a common thing during most holidays," he said.

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