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Business Correspondent
China is ready to take part in Zimbabwe’s Special Economic Zones and encourage Foreign Direct Investment from Chinese companies, the deputy Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Counselor Cui Chun, has said.Speaking at a handover ceremony of goods donated by the Chinese Embassy to Charamba High School, a satellite school still under construction in Ward 25 in Makoni West, Mr Chun said the President of China, Xi Jinping instructed the embassy to do what it can to support Zimbabwe.
“We are ready to take part in Zimbabwe’s SEZs and encourage FDI from Chinese companies. We will continue to look for a way forward to foster development and increase the agricultural growing outcome and production of Zimbabwe and we believe as our people reach out our bilateral ties and friendship grows stronger,” he said.
Mr Chun encouraged rural communities to take up farming seriously, not only for subsistence, but also for income generation to develop rural communities.
“Agriculture is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy which is what we want to assist as China. Education is also key, a reason why we are here donating to this school (Charamba High School). The embassy donated goods that included 120 chairs, 60 desks, 40 water pumps, 10 basketballs and 16 soccer balls.
“I was told by your Member of National Assembly, Honourable Kudzanai Chipanga about your problems of water pumps to tap water from dams and this is what we are fulfilling here.
“You should make use of these water pumps and grow your crops not only for subsistence, but as income generating projects as well,” he said.
Makoni West legislator and Zanu-PF national deputy secretary for youth affairs, Cde Chipanga, who sourced the goods, said the donation was a sign of China’s developmental commitments in Zimbabwe.
He said since the liberation war, China has always been Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend.
“Today, I am here to speak of development. What the Chinese Embassy has done attests what President Mugabe said after his visit from China last week where he went to strengthen bilateral ties with our Chinese friends.
“China has been our friend since the liberation war and up to now they are still our all-weather friend. As the MP of this area, I now have an extended family and have the responsibility to take care of you all and this is what I am doing.
“Under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Socio-Economic Transformation, we are focusing on quick wins and developmental initiatives. Here in Ward 25, this school will be my project, while in every other ward in Makoni West, I will focus on other important infrastructural projects to develop our constituency and for posterity,” said Cde Chipanga.
Zanu-PF Manicaland secretary for administration, Cde Kenneth Saruchera, speaking on behalf of Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Ambassador Dr John Shumba Mvundura, urged the community to work together to get Zim-Asset on track.
He said even those in opposition parties should take off their political hats and push the development agenda, saying patriotism was the way to go.
Online Reporter