Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
Netherlands Ambassador to Zimbabwe Matthijs van Eeuwen has paid a courtesy call on Vice President Kembo Mohadi, with the two discussing areas of bilateral cooperation and potential Dutch investment in the Lake Chivero project.
Speaking after meeting Vice President Dr Mohadi, Ambassador van Eeuwen said the Netherlands welcomed the progress Zimbabwe has made in clearing its African Developement Bank (AfDB) arrears.
“So, I mentioned that recently we have established a network of business companies, the Netherlands-Zimbabwe Business Network.
“We also have discussed the AfDB clearance process. I have said that the Government has really made progress in that, especially towards the compensation of farmers, also BIPA farmers,” he said.
Ambassador Matthijs van Eeuwen said the meeting also explored opportunities to deepen trade and economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and the Netherlands.
He said the two countries were working closely through the Netherlands-Zimbabwe Business Network established recently to strengthen links between businesses in the two countries.
He said cooperation in horticulture was already strong, with a significant proportion of Zimbabwean horticultural produce being exported to the Netherlands, largely through the Port of Rotterdam.
“So actually today, there’s a Dutch company also paying a visit to Zimbabwe to explore potential investment in Lake Chivero,” he said.
“They have met the Minister of Finance. It’s really an early phase, but I think that there is enormous potential for the Netherlands and Zimbabwe to work together on water management, and particularly at Lake Chivero,” he said.
