Aussie delegation scouts for opportunities

Gibson Nyikadzino Herald Correspondent

AN Australian delegation scouting for areas of co-operation with Zimbabwe arrived in the country yesterday, and immediately commended Zimbabwe’s progress under the Second Republic.

Mr James Scuderi, the founding partner of the Global South Trade Alliance (GLOSTA) and head of delegation, said they were excited to be in Zimbabwe for the first time.

The visit from an Australian delegation, the first in 23 years, comes at a time the Second Republic has made strides in its engagement and re-engagement policy with the West after nearly two decades of frosty relations.

Mr Scuderi said his delegation’s presence at the 64th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair was an opportunity to exchange ideas with Zimbabwe.

“We are here in Zimbabwe as part of an exploratory trip. We have not been here before, none of us. We are looking to explore development opportunities that exist between Zimbabwe and Australia in particular.

“We understand that mining and energy is something that is obviously available, but also student accommodation and education is what we also want to be actively involved in.”

Mr Scuderi said they also look forward to more synergies and exchanges in the food and livestock science sectors.

His delegation was looking for opportunities based on the strengths of both Zimbabwe and Australia.

“In search of these opportunities, we will focus on the strengths of Zimbabwe and Australia, whether they be in mining and minerals, agriculture, livestock sciences and education.

“I am sure there are a lot of opportunities for us to exchange ideas. There are a lot of synergies we look forward to, given the progress that the Government is making in agriculture, livestock sciences and horticulture”.

Mr Scuderi, who is being accompanied by Dr Rajneesh Verma and Mr Linton Tarisai, said there is more that Zimbabwe and Australia can do in their co-operation.

A major highlight of the visit will be meetings between the delegation, Government officials, the Chinhoyi University of Technology and other private sector players aimed at exploring prospects of setting up an advanced livestock genetics project in Zimbabwe.