Vic Falls Airport show of Zim-China economic ties

THE $150 million Victoria Falls International Airport expansion project is a demonstration of the growing economic and political cooperation with China, a Minister said.
Speaking after the tour of the expansion project led by Transport and Infrastructural development Minister Joram Gumbo, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Zhang Xiangchen and Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe officials in the resort town on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Edgar Mbwembwe said the two countries share strong cordial relations that were evident through the partnership in rehabilitating the Victoria Falls Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe initiated the airport expansion project in February 2013 to boost its aircraft handling capacity and tourism in Victoria Falls funded by China-Exim Bank and constructed by China Jiangsu International Group.

“We are happy with the progress that has been made at the airport and what we see on the ground is a clear demonstration of our growing relations with China. This expanded Victoria Falls Airport will see direct flights into the resort town and it will now accommodate bigger aircraft and thus increase the inflow of tourists.

“Downstream industries are also set to benefit from this partnership,” said Dep Min Mbwembwe.
He said the visit by the Chinese delegation led by Vice Minister Zhang would also highlight some areas of partnership between the two countries.

“This is certainly a continued relationship that will continue to grow. We will certainly be seeing more business with the Chinese in critical sectors of the economy. Agreements between our two countries are likely to be made before the State visit by the Head of China in December,” he said.

Speaking at the same tour Minister Gumbo said the airport project was now 90 percent complete. He said what was mainly left was clearing of the area.

“The Chinese delegation is here to inspect the work that is being done at the airport and to ensure that this project is finished on time.

“Commissioning of the airport will be done next year in May as there is still some work to be done but operationalisation will be end of November,” said Minister Gumbo.

Last year, according to statistics from the Chinese embassy, bilateral trade rose to $1,24 billion , growing 12,7 percent from $1,1 billion in 2013 with the trade being in Zimbabwe’s favour as the country’s exports to China stood at $840 million and its import from China at $400 million.

Notable projects between the two countries include the expansion of the Kariba South Hydro Power Station which is envisaged to generate an additional 300 megawatts, the expansion of Victoria Falls Airport to promote the local tourism sector and construction of the agriculture technology demonstration centre in Zimbabwe.

China has also provided farming machinery and fertilisers worth $80 million.
According to the Chinese embassy Zimbabwe is one of the largest recipients of Chinese aid in Africa. China has provided over $1,5 billion worth of concessionary and commercial loans to Zimbabwe in recent years.

Also notable is an agreement signed by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi between his ministry and the National Tourism Administration of China on co-operation in the field of tourism whose implementation will lead to an increase of revenues from Chinese visitors to Zimbabwe.