dyton mupawaenda
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe has identified 12 key projects for potential funding under China’s US$50 billion facility aimed at supporting Africa’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda, as pledged during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last year.
The projects include the recapitalisation and upgrade of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), digital Zimbabwe Project Phase 1, a new State House at the New City in Mount Hampden, five new Government Ministerial buildings at the New City in Mt Hampden, the upgrade of Charles Prince Airport near the New City in Mt Hampden and Feasibility Studies for Upgrading of Irrigation Facilities Project.
Other projects include universal energy access through Community Solar E-Facility Project (Rural Solar E-Facility Project), construction of decentralised solar agro-processing plants and the supply of various farm mechanisation equipment for rural industrialisation and development, rehabilitation of the National Sports Stadium, maintenance of the New Parliament Building, building of a railway line connecting Harare and Chitungwiza and the Schistomiasis Control and Elimination Cooperation Project.
China made the US$50 billion pledge during one of the biggest diplomatic events on the calendar, FOCAC, held in Beijing in September last year, which President Mnangagwa attended.
Prior to the summit, the President had undertaken a successful State visit to China at the invitation of his counterpart, President Xi Jinping.
Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Permanent Secretary Mr Raphael Faranisi yesterday said a third follow up inter-ministerial meeting will be held today.
“Reference is made to the above subject and to the second follow-up meeting held on 17 December 2024, where it was agreed that Ministries should avail reports on the progress of projects and programmes being implemented within the framework of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that were signed during His Excellency the President’s State Visit to China in September 2024.
“In that regard, your Office/Ministry is invited to attend the third inter-ministerial meeting scheduled for Wednesday 5 March 2025, at 1000hrs, in the Munhumutapa Basement Boardroom.
“The objective of the meeting is to follow up on progress on the above-mentioned projects and programmes,” she said.
The relevant ministries will be requested to avail a report on progress of the projects and programmes under implementation in their ministry and provide an update on the status of the 12 projects that were submitted for possible funding, where applicable.
During President Mnangagwa’s State Visit, Harare and Beijing signed 17 agreements including; Establishment of the Investment and Cooperation Working Group; Cooperation Plan on Synergising the Belt and Road Initiative with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030; Exchange of Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development; MoU on Establishing a Working Group on Unimpeded Trade.
Apart from that, the two countries also signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development; Protocol for Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Zimbabwean Fresh Avocado to China; MoU on Joint Promotion of Co-operation in the Mining Industry; and Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
MoUs on Media Exchange and Co-operation, MoU between China Media Group and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, MoU on Co-operation on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine were also signed.
The two countries also signed Letters of Exchange on the Feasibility Study for Upgrading of Irrigation Facilities Project, and Letters of Exchange for Human Resource Development Co-operation in Railways Management.
An agreement was also signed on News Exchange and Co-operation between Xinhua News Agency and New Ziana, MoU between China Media Group and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, and MoU between China Media Group and The Herald of Zimbabwe.
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