adminA CHINESE delegation which was part of this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair exhibitors said they were looking to partner local businesses in different sectors and help the country’s economy to improve.
Speaking during the International Business Conference on Wednesday, head of the Chinese delegation from Tianjin Commission of Commerce, Assistant Inspector Hu Ning said the Chinese were looking forward to forming partnerships as there were many business opportunities in the country.
“We have seen a lot of opportunities and we are looking forward to doing business with you. We are mainly interested in forming partnerships hence we will have to sit down and see how best to do our business,” said Mr Ning.
“Our company is situated in the northern part of China and for you Zimbabweans, it will be easier to enter China through us. This is our third time coming for exhibition and businesspeople have reacted positively to our call for partnerships. I can assure you that our company is keen to work with you.”
Part of the delegation included heads of different departments from sectors such as clothing, pharmaceuticals, motor and manufacturing industries who all indicated that they were willing establish strong bonds with local companies.
ZNCC second vice-chairperson for Matabeleland region Ms Sisasenkosi Sibanda said partnership with China presented companies with an opportunity to boost production.
“Partnerships with China would be beneficial for most local business in terms of favourable import prices for most local organisations as local companies are responsive to the changes in prices, hence the partnership with the Chinese would be cost effective and beneficial for both parties,” she said.
“The Tianjin foreign economic and trade promotions aim is to foster trade relations and partnerships with the local companies in order to create mutual growth and ultimately unlock market potential which is the key issue which needs to be addressed regarding the state of the economy,” she said.
Ms Sibanda said local companies were facing economic challenges which have crippled operations resulting in the loss of skills to other neighbouring countries.
Contributing during the meeting, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries executive member Dr Joshua Mthethwa encouraged Chinese companies to form joint ventures with locals as there were more business opportunities in the country.
“If you bring capital everything will be recapitalised within a short space of time. We have the infrastructure but we do not have enough resources to run companies. More importantly, you should familarise yourselves with the country’s economic blue print called Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset).
There are clusters where you will get more business opportunities than what you perceived,” said Dr Mthethwa.
Association for Businesses in Zimbabwe (ABUZ) member Mrs Sandy Whitehead said Chinese companies were not the country’s competitor but were partners.
Tianjin Commission of Commerce is an integral part of Tianjin Municipal Government which is in charge of internal and external trade and external economic cooperation in Tianjin.
Zimbabwe has struck more mega deals in China with agreements over funding and feasibility studies of power projects, road dualisation and railway line construction being put on paper.
Online Reporter