Acquaint yourselves with economic diplomacy, trainee diplomats told

Mukudzei Chingwere Herald Reporter

Government officials in foreign services must acquaint themselves with economic diplomacy in line with Zimbabwe’s foreign policy, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador James Manzou said yesterday.

He was speaking to officers graduating in the diplomatic training course at Zimbabwe Foreign Service Institute in Harare.

The graduating group was the second that undertook diplomatic training this year, as the Government continues making progress in making sure every new officer undergoes the training.

“This course was very necessary in preparing all of you for your future roles as the country’s representatives abroad and I hope that you fully grasped the course contents of the entire programme,” said Ambassador Manzou.

“You also had the opportunity to engage, comprehend and analyse the foreign policies of countries through presentations delivered by their embassies.

“The programme you have just concluded was tailor-made to provide you with exposure to the fundamental aspects of Zimbabwe’s diplomacy. It was supposed to equip you with the professional and administrative skills to effectively articulate Zimbabwe’s foreign policy.

“I hope you all understood the presentation on economic diplomacy as it has become an important aspect of our mandate as a Ministry. A foreign service officer must be able to think outside the box in order to attract new business investments for Zimbabwe; thus, I encourage you all to become generalists in pursuance of our national economic interests.

“The component of our diaspora is also very important for the economic growth of our country.”

Ambassador Manzou reminded the graduating group that whenever they have the opportunity to engage the diaspora, they should share with them the economic opportunities in the country.

The Diaspora can also be Ambassadors of the country.

Seven Ambassadors representing China, India, Russia, the European Union, Brazil, Japan and Australia gave lectures to the officers on their foreign policies during the course of the training.