adminHatred Zenenga recently in China and Muchadura Dube
IT is in the public domain that the ruling party in Zimbabwe, Zanu-PF has gone a gear up in its bid to consolidate the country’s economic gains.
The recent trip to China by Vice President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, where he held meetings with that country’s Vice President Li Yuanchao and various business people is just, but one among many forays the ruling party officials have embarked on in pursuit of economic opportunities.
VP Mnangagwa enticed Chinese businesspeople to explore the abundant business opportunities that exist in the country. Zimbabwe has untapped opportunities in energy, road and rail infrastructure development, tourism, manufacturing and information and communication technology.
Given the historical friendship between Zimbabwe and the China, the bond between these countries can only grow from strength to strength .
The Chinese helped Zimbabwe by providing logistics which were instrumental in the fight against the imperialists, the British who had enslaved the black majority for decades.
The Chinese have also been instrumental in defending Zimbabwe by using their veto power in all the instances that Zimbabwe’s detractors have sought to unleash terror on its people using the United Nations Security Council.
Indeed, the Chinese have proved to be an all weather friend to the Zimbabweans.
The ruling party now seeks to transform political relations to serious economic engagements, which will help in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).
The economic blueprint, Zim-Asset has the potential to breathe life into the economy if funding is availed to finance the various economic projects that have been earmarked for implementation.
The five-day official visit by VP Mnangagwa is encouraging as it goes a long way in injecting hope and momentum into the economy.
The major highlight of VP Mnangagwa’s visit was the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Government of Zimbabwe and China’s National Development and Reform Commission. Zimbabwe was represented by the deputy chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
NDRC was formerly Chinese Ministry of Planning. It is now a super ministry answering to President Xi Jinping and seven member Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party. NDRC has vaulted China to be the global number two economy in mere 30 years since reforms and opening up by Deng Xiao Ping.
Now NDRC, CITIC Limited, the biggest conglomerate in China with leading businesses in sectors well matched with China’s economic growth and development and Tsingshan Steel are all joining up on Zimbabwe projects, as no modern country can aspire to progress without Foreign Direct Investments.
VP Mnangagwa’s trip is no doubt a bold shot in the arm of Zim-Asset. The economy has been at the core of efforts by the two vice presidents. Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has hit the ground running, having audience with Russian investors in Mashonaland West Province where they intend to establish a multi-billion dollar investment in platinum mining. Incidentally, the Russians were also instrumental in giving material and moral support during the liberation epoch.
The visit by the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, was a harbinger of good tidings as economic
relations took a new positive dimension between the two countries. The Russians’ investment in the Great Dyke will create employment for thousands of locals, a natural economic act which will have a trickle-down effect on other downstream industries.
The Russians and the Chinese have proved to be honest and impartial arbiters in the international arena as they have tirelessly worked to veto the West’s diabolic intentions on Zimbabwe.
The camaraderie which the two political and economic giants have shown and extended to Zimbabwe should always remind Zimbabweans that, as it stands, their interests are best served by these two countries since the only interests, which the West harbours are purely economical.
This last week, Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko also visited a joint one-stop-shop facility by Zimbabwe and Zambia at Chirundu border.
Such a facility will result in reduced clearing time, which is a prerequisite in the timely implementation of economic activities for the two countries. After having been appraised of the versatility and effectiveness of the one stop boarder facility, VP Mphoko suggested the emulation of such a facility at the Beitbridge Border Post in order to decongest the already busy post.
Given that Beitbridge Border Post is one of the busiest border post in Africa as it facilitates high volumes of trade for various African countries which depend on South African seas, such a robust facility is ideal. Facilities of that nature are critical economic enablers which help to drive the economic agenda.
The requirement by the Office of the President and Cabinet for Ministries to diarise the various Zim-Asset projects indicates that Government is deeply seized with the agenda to ameliorate the economic quagmire confronting its populace.
The diarisation of activities will act as a monitoring and evaluation tool that will expose any weak link in the execution of this important of economic initiative by the government. Any economic pundit worth their salt will easily detect the high level of seriousness within the ruling party, Zanu-PF.
This high commitment to duty has been a slap in the face for the usual high pitched critics who have accused the government of having well crafted economic policies that are never implemented. The ruling party is walking the talk, an essential component in gaining confidence of the people, especially considering that these policies are meant for the people, and must, therefore, be embraced by the intended beneficiaries.
With political independence have been secured, African countries should take a cue from Zimbabwe who have enacted legislation to enable the majority to own their God-given resources and subsequently their economy. When the economy is performing well, it triggers inflows of direct foreign investments, a key ingredient in the stimulation of economic activity.
The winds which are engulfing Zimbabwe, where the political leadership has set the tone for the rest of the populace by demonstrating that it is only economic liberation which can transform the livelihoods of the populace, will see the nation experiencing overall phenomenal growth. It is only economic growths that will guarantee the populace real freedom.
Online Reporter