Zimbabwe Keen on Fruitful Economic Relations With China

Republic of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe donates outside broadcast van from the People's Republic of China. China has been a long time ally of the Southern African state., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Zim keen on fruitful economic relations with China

Tuesday, 30 April 2013 00:00
Municipal Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

Zimbabwe is eager to translate its relations with China into fruitful economic benefits for the people of the two countries, Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo has said.

Minister Chombo made the remarks when he addressed a Chinese delegation from Chongqing Municipality and Harare City last Friday.

“The relationship should crystallise into economic benefits between the two countries. Your visit fulfils the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and Zanu-PF,” said Minister Chombo.

The Chinese city, Chongqing, wants to partner Harare and Victoria Falls in joint business ventures in the areas of waste management, water and other income generating projects.

Harare has a number of business opportunities that include hotel construction at Harava Dam, parkades, up market bus terminuses, beef and dairy farming at its underutilised farms.

Scopes of the projects would be agreed on a reciprocal visit by the two Zimbabwean cities.

A delegation from the city of 33 million people was in Harare last week on preliminary discussions that sought to look into the areas of co-operation and joint ventures.

Two memorandums of understanding were signed in Harare and Victoria Falls respectively.

Minister Chombo said the Chinese business interest in Zimbabwe was testimony of the willingness to continue the relationship that began during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

“Your presence here means you want to work with us to create business partnerships with our local authorities and Government departments.

“In turn we are quite serious. We are genuine about business. It is our desire to establish long-term business partnerships,” he said.

He said the biggest advantage in dealing with Zimbabwe was that it owned all its natural resources unlike other countries that have mortgaged their resources to the West.

“We determine how they can be exploited,” he said.

Minister Chombo said he would ensure implementation of the projects agreed between the cities.

Vice chairman of the Chongqing Municipality Mr Chen Guiyun said major industries in his city included chemical manufacturing, engineering and information technology.

“We are the biggest laptop manufacturers in the world,” he said. He said the city was well connected to major world capitals by air.