dyton mupawaenda
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE is on the right track and doing a lot to reclaim its place in the geo-political space, a top diplomat has said.
European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Jobst von Kirchmann, said a perception that had been created about Zimbabwe was misleading and did not reflect the positive imperatives in the country.
Ambassador Kirchmann made the remarks in a Star FM current affairs programme, “Muriro on Monday”, meant to discuss Zimbabwe-EU relations.
Relations between Zimbabwe and the EU have continued to improve significantly after the Western bloc removed most of the sanctions it had imposed on Harare.
Amb Kirchmann said what one heard when abroad was different from what one felt once in Harare.
“I think Zimbabwe’s reputation is overshadowed by a lot of things which are not maybe in favour of Zimbabwe. But if you live in Zimbabwe you discover actually a great country, great people, educated people and friendly people. It is a very pleasant country to be in and also you may also better understand the context and that is why economically when companies come from abroad, from Europe, for example, it is wise decision to work together locally with the companies because you must know the local context, you cannot just come and believe you know everything, so I profoundly believe that it is important for anyone who want to invest to come here and explore what Zimbabwe has to offer,” said Amb Kirchmann.
He said Zimbabwe was on track to retain its place to become part of the global community enjoying all economic rights including the opportunity to borrow from multilateral institutions.
Amb Kirchmann commended President Mnangagwa’s current efforts to clear the country’s debt.
“President Mnangagwa has put underway a process of a long term to get rid of the debt and pave way for sovereign lending.
“In reality, that process is much more, because potentially Zimbabwe will be back on the international community as a respected partner. I commend that process as a good process and I hope in the foreseeable future we will be able to move forward because that is a key process that goes beyond to debt clearance and that is the reason why the President attach so much importance to it.
Commenting on the Zim-EU relationship, Amb Kirchmann described it as solid.
“We have developed a very solid relationship with Zimbabwe. In political terms we have been with them all the time as a partner, you can see with the political dialogue we have had in the past.
“We have had a respectful interaction we talk to each other, we might not always agree, but I think that is part of it as well. In economic terms, it is thriving it is going forward,” said Amb Kirchmann.
He described the first-ever Zimbabwe EU business forum to be held soon as one such testimony of good bilateral relations between Harare and the Western bloc.
“We have a solid relationship, it is marked by Economic Partnership Agreements, so we have a free trade agreement between Zimbabwe and EU, that is a solid base, our bank is team Europe we all collectively want to move forward with the private sector in Zimbabwe and also the EU private sector.
“That is what we have called global gateway, bringing in the private sector, it is the engine. I have always said it is not the EU in Zimbabwe creating jobs or investing money, but it is the private sector doing that. Governments are facilitators or enable, we are a partner so we collectively are moving forward on that agenda,” said Amb Kirchmann.
Online Reporter