adminmulti-million ethanol project in Chisumbanje to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
Speaking after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Joice Mujuru in Harare yesterday, the diplomat said Zimbabwe and Brazil were exploring a number of bilateral projects in mining and agriculture.
One of the projects, she said, was sending technical experts that would help Harare in training people to run its ethanol plant.
VP Mujuru also met India ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Jeitendra Tripathi and Mrs Barbara Joziasse of the Netherlands.
“There are many opportunities for the two countries and we are trying to explore that. The biggest ethanol project in Africa is now in Zimbabwe. It’s a very important programme because it generates revenue and provides employment for the rural community,” she said.
Mrs da Silva said a number of businesspeople from Brazil from diverse sectors are keen to invest in Zimbabwe.
The Vice President was due to visit Brazil in August but failed after her husband General Solomon Mujuru died in a fire accident.
Mr Tripathi said India supported the Kimberley Process Certification position to allow Zimbabwe sell its diamonds and would continue to rally behind Harare. “India and Zimbawe are both developing countries and both are coming from the same colonisers,” he said.
Mrs Joziasse said there was need for the two countries to engage each other to improve relations.
There was also need, she said, for Harare and the European Union to engage each other to improve the frosty relations that have seen the West imposing sanctions.
She said her discussions with the Vice President centred on bilateral relations and how her country is assisting in humanitarian aid.
Online Reporter
Sidumisile Mabena