admin
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
China is determined to support Zimbabwe in boosting its capacity for innovation as well as its endeavours to become an important player in the global new energy production and supply chain, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding has said.
Speaking at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Ambassador Zhou said Beijing was committed to aiding Zimbabwe’s innovation-driven development.
“First, as Zimbabwe’s largest source of foreign investment, China plays a key role in propelling Zimbabwe’s economic and social progress, which has laid a solid foundation for Zimbabwe’s innovation-driven development.
“Hundreds of Chinese companies are operating in Zimbabwe, generating tremendous forex income, tax revenue, and hundreds of thousands of job opportunities for Zimbabwe.
“In the last couple of years, China has financed and built several key infrastructural projects for Zimbabwe such as the expansion of Kariba South Hydro-power Station and the Hwange Thermal Power Station, the upgrading of Victoria Falls Airport, the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the High Performance Computing Centre and the NetOne Mobile Broadband Phase III among others,” he said.
Ambassador Zhou said Chinese investments would continue being directed to Zimbabwe to strengthen the country’s manufacturing sector.
“Second, Chinese investments have strengthened Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sectors.
“The Dinson Iron and Steel plant is expected to invest more than US$1,5 billion to construct the largest steel plant in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“In the lithium mining sector, Chinese companies have invested more than US$1 billion, making Zimbabwe an important player in the global new energy production and supply chain. Chinese investors have also built factories of electrical appliances, cement, tiles, fertilisers, clothing and many others, contributing to the diversified expansion of the manufacturing industry of Zimbabwe.
“Third, China has assisted Zimbabwe in innovation capacity building. Each year China invites hundreds of Government officials, professionals in various areas, and business leaders from Zimbabwe to China to attend capacity-building programmes,” he said.
Zimbabwe, said the Chinese envoy, should always count on China’s support in its development trajectory.
“As Zimbabwe’s comprehensive strategic partner, China is determined to support Zimbabwe in boosting its capacity for innovation. Zimbabwe is implementing President Mnangagwa’s mantra of ‘Zimbabwe is open to business’, I hope Zimbabwe will continue to improve its business environment, maintain policy continuity, invest in education, nurture talents, and boost trade and investment, enjoy a sustained innovation-driven development.
“Some Chinese educational and vocational institutions have partnered with their counterparts here targeting Zimbabwe’s youth empowerment. Chinese companies have continuously provided training for their employees on digital and management skills, on ICT and at the same time have made ICT services and products more accessible and affordable to local communities,” he said.
Under the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has established itself as a global powerhouse with its vast natural resources including lithium and most recently oil and gas discoveries.
Online Reporter