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Mukudzei Chingwere, Herald Reporter
Nicaragua will seek to replicate Zimbabwe’s drought mitigation strategy that guarantees food security, the Central American nation’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ms Nadeska Cuthbert, said after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at his offices.
The two nations continue to pursue mutually-beneficial economic cooperation in several sectors.
Yesterday underlined the importance of forging ahead with economic development, even under the weight of unjust sanctions.
In line with the Second Republic’s diplomatic thrust of seeking economic cooperation from all corners of the world as espoused by President Mnangagwa’s ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ approach, Nicaragua has become the latest frontier for business collaboration and investment.
According to the World Bank, Nicaragua has great potential for development after benefiting from foreign direct investment at 8,3 percent of gross domestic product and remittances reaching 20,6 percent in 2022.
Nicaragua’s economy relies on light industry manufacturing, services, and agriculture.
“The way that the President (Mnangagwa) has fought for his people and the vision he has for Zimbabwe is remarkable, we are so proud and we feel that there is so much we can learn,” said Amb Cuthbert.
“Climate change has affected everyone and to see that they are building a strategy, engaging people, calling for foreign investments to be able to assure the food security here in Zimbabwe, that is very remarkable and I am sure that there is so much we can learn from it.”
In 2020, President Mnangagwa launched the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy which has now been refined to the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, aimed at enhancing agriculture production, productivity and profitability in line with the National Development Strategy 1.
Describing the meeting, Ambassador Cuthbert said: “We were just exploring opportunities for collaboration between Nicaragua and Zimbabwe. We both share a lot in common; we have a history of struggle.
“The history that has made us stronger and more determined to continue to fight for our people and our sovereignty. We were exploring opportunities in agriculture, mining, education and health if it can be possible for closer cooperation between our countries.
“Agriculture is also the backbone for Nicaragua’s economy and both of us are facing challenges related to climate change.”
She said Zimbabwean companies also stand to benefit if they collaborate with her country, in terms of growing their exports. Nicaragua is the geographically largest country in Central America.
This month Nicaragua opened their embassy in Harare as the two countries seek to concretise their synergies.
“So, we see there are a lot of opportunities where we can come together and find innovative solutions, also there are many opportunities for strategic investments and the strategic location for Nicaragua also creates great opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses to expand their horizons,” said Amb Cuthbert.
“We have access to both the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean so that creates a good accessibility for the companies to go through Nicaragua.”
This month Nicaragua opened their embassy in Harare as the two countries seek to concretise their synergies.
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