BEIJING, China – Zimbabwe is sitting on a firm pedestal to exploit the investment opportunities presented by China under its broader theme of building a shared vision and future with Africa.
Chinese investment impact on Zimbabwe over the last decade has been significantly felt especially in the areas of infrastructure, energy and industrial development.
The Asian giant’s influence in Africa has also been rapidly grown, overtaking traditional trading partners mainly from the West, and in the process triggering accusations that China is colonising Africa through pumping in large amounts of funds to secure its footprint on the continent.
In an interview with China Global Television Network in Beijing before Monday’s opening of the 2018 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe has transitioned to a new world order, and any country still opposed to Zimbabwe is blind.
Contrary to this assertion, for developing countries intent on boosting their economies and supporting their industrialisation agendas, China represents a willing partner with the capacity to quickly and easily fund massive projects at concessionary rates.
In an interview with CCTV on the sidelines of the FOCAC Summit in China, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said in fact, the relationship between China and Africa is a win-win cooperation where developing nations such as Zimbabwe can benefit from the deep funding pocket through the $10 billion China Africa Development Fund and vice versa for China through utilising resources from the continent.
China is a significant destination for Zimbabwe as it is the nation’s 4th largest trading partner, providing that critical market for the country’s exports mainly tobacco which has boosted and sustained foreign currency receipts.
Indigenous Business Women President, Dr Jane Mutasa said with China – Africa trading volumes poised to improve from last year’s figure of 14 percent, the opportunities for Zimbabwe to ride on such positive trajectory are massive.
Forming the agenda for the 2018 FOCAC meeting in China are industry, agriculture and infrastructure sectors, which Zimbabwe has already benefited immensely from Chinese investments ranging from the Kariba South Hydro Power Project to the latest investment towards upgrading the country’s aviation sector through upgrading Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
