Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE will keep pursuing its engagement and re-engagement policy to strengthen economic, cultural and bilateral ties with countries across the globe, President Mnangagwa has said.
Posting on his microblogging platform, X, following separate credential presentation ceremonies for the incoming Nigerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Phillip Kuroghobogha Ikurusi; the Swiss Ambassador-designate, Mrs Christine Schraner Burgener; and the Dominican Republic’s incoming Ambassador, Ms Erika Alvarez Rodriguez, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe remained committed to strengthening relations with the international community and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Today at State House in Harare, I received Letters of Credence from three newly-appointed Ambassadors to the Republic of Zimbabwe,” President Mnangagwa said.
“As we advance our engagement and re-engagement policy, Zimbabwe remains committed to being a ‘friend to all and an enemy to none,’ opening our doors wide for economic, cultural, and bilateral cooperation.
“I am pleased to formally welcome to Zimbabwe: H.E. Phillip Kuroghobogha Ikurusi, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who pledged to prioritise and strengthen our long-standing, historic African diplomatic and trade relations.
“H.E. Mrs Christine Schraner Burgener, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation (Switzerland), as we look forward to deepening our strategic partnerships in development, innovation, and commerce.
“H.E. Ms Erika Alvarez Rodriguez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, marking an exciting chapter of expanded cooperation, trade, and economic diplomacy between our nations.
“We look forward to highly productive tenures for all three envoys as we build mutually beneficial partnerships.”
Speaking after meeting President Mnangagwa, the incoming Nigerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe said his main priorities during his tenure will include strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
“Nigeria and Zimbabwe enjoy warm and long-standing relations, founded on shared historical experiences, mutual respect, and strong people-to-people connections,” Ambassador Ikurusi said.
“As Ambassador, my priority will be to further strengthen these relations and identify new areas of cooperation that will deliver tangible benefits for both our people.
“I look forward to working closely with the Government of Zimbabwe, the diplomatic community, the private sector, civil society, and most importantly the people of Zimbabwe, to deepen our bilateral cooperation.”
He said there is significant potential for greater collaboration in areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, education, tourism, culture, youth development, security and technology, among other sectors.
Swiss Ambassador Mrs Burgener said she will work on ensuring more companies from her country invest in Zimbabwe.
“Already we have an excellent relationship, a really fond friendship, and we would like to continue this cooperation in partnership with openness,” she said.
“We will continue on all the issues we are already working on together, and I will see where we can enhance even on those issues. We have quite a lot of Swiss companies already existing here in Zimbabwe and clearly I would invite more enterprises from Switzerland.
“I also think the double tax agreement, which we concluded, will be a very important tool to attract more economic relations between the two countries.”
The incoming Dominican Republic Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ms Erika Alvarez Rodriguez, said during her tenure she will focus on increasing bilateral relations between the two countries.
“We are looking at specific areas such as tourism, mining, women’s empowerment, and agriculture. As you know, the Dominican Republic is a leader in the Caribbean and the tourist sector.
“We received 11.6 million tourists last year, and we can offer cooperation to Zimbabwe in the tourist sector, and also learn from you about your experience in wildlife and conservation.”
Later on, President Mnangagwa met outgoing Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Adler Aristilde, who bade farewell to him after a three-year tour of duty.
The two reflected on the two countries’ bilateral relations.
Briefing journalists soon after their meeting, Ambassador Aristilde said their discussion centred on several issues, including the boat ferry disaster that claimed scores of people’s lives in Kariba.
They also discussed Zimbabwe’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and the country’s economic trajectory, which he said was encouraging.
“I just had a very warm and positive farewell conversation with His Excellency the President and I started by conveying condolences from me and from Canada to the Zimbabwean people following the tragic boat accident that happened earlier this week on Lake Kariba and we are encouraged by the Government’s efforts to address maritime safety and water safety issues in Zimbabwe once and for all,” said Ambassador Aristilde.
He said Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory was impressive.
“We mentioned the progress in the Zimbabwean economy, which has been growing at a rate of 6 percent last year, projected at 5 percent this year. We mentioned the macroeconomic reforms that are taking place, the debt and arrears clearance process that is evolving and the recent election of Zimbabwe for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council and expressed Canada’s readiness and willingness to collaborate with Zimbabwe to contribute to global governance and global peace,” Ambassador Aristilde said.
He said he was leaving Zimbabwe at a time when the two countries’ relations were good, given that there was collaboration in many areas, including sports where the two countries played cricket and rugby.
“We saw Canada’s cricket team being invited by Zimbabwe Cricket last year to play a tournament. Zimbabwe’s rugby team was in Canada last month, playing in a rugby competition. We have more Zimbabwean students going to Canada to study. We have Canadian graduates coming here for internships and strengthening Canada-Zimbabwe cooperation. Canadian businesses are coming here. We had an important business conference in 2024,” Ambassador Aristilde said.
Zimbabwe and Canada enjoy warm bilateral relations after setting up diplomatic ties in 1980 when Harare attained independence.
