Chronicle Editor
Africa Moyo in NEW DELHI, India
It was probably Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga’s busiest day yesterday as he participated in three critical engagements headlined by a successful interactive meeting with Indian Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and later addressing a highly subscribed session specific to Zimbabwe attended by investors mainly from India and other regions.
VP Chiwenga had earlier in the morning taken a short drive from Taj Palace, the venue of the 18th Confederation of Indian Industry-Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership, to the Indian International Centre where he was honoured with the India-Africa Achievers Award.
The award, which was presented to him by India-Africa Trade Council chairman Dr Asif Iqbal, was in recognition of his long-standing contribution for enhanced India-Africa co-operation and specifically with Zimbabwe.
VP Chiwenga, who was accompanied to the awards ceremony by his wife Colonel Miniyothabo Chiwenga, said the occasion was a culmination of “mutually beneficial endeavours to promote and foster India-Africa relations”.
“As I accept this award, I am mindful that it is not only a personal achievement but a recognition of my being a representative of the Government of Zimbabwe and the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“I am, therefore, glad to be here to accept this iconic award. I take this opportunity to heartily congratulate my fellow awardees.”
Seven other representatives from African countries including Lesotho, Ghana, Tanzania and Congo, were honoured.
There was a lighter moment when ladies from Lesotho ululated in a unique way, when the name of their representative was called so he could get his award.
After that ceremony, VP Chiwenga drove back to his hotel at the main venue, and immediately got into a meeting with the Indian Vice-President.
Journalists were only allowed to get in to take pictures and/ videos before the session proceeded without their cameras and recorders.
Straight after the meeting, the two leaders walked into the next room, located about three metres from their conference room, for lunch.
VP Chiwenga then emerged from lunch, and told journalists that he had “a very friendly” engagement with VP Dhankhar, in which the host leader spelt out the areas that the two leaders could collaborate.
We discussed where we would want the input of India at the Government level. You are aware that we got assistance in the repowering of our energy plants in Hwange and they will assist and as I meet with the Exim Bank tomorrow (today), that thing would be looked up. We discussed our railway system and there is something that will be happening to our railways because it is important that it be revamped if our economy is to grow. As you know, the mining industry has gone up, the agriculture industry has gone up, the manufacturing is going up and we can’t continue to use the road,” said VP Chiwenga.
Heavy trucks damage the roads regularly and experts say goods transported by road are 40 percent more expensive than those moved by rail hence the desire to have the National Railways of Zimbabwe capacitated.
A US$81,2 million deal for the procurement of 315 wagons and nine locomotives was signed later yesterday between the Indian government and Zimbabwe.
After the engagement with VP Dhankar, VP Chiwenga had little rest, before walking into a room that was filled to capacity by investors mainly from India and some from across the world, who wanted to know more about investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and why they should choose Harare ahead of the 192 other countries in the world and two recognised States – Palestine and the Vatican City.
In his address, VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe’s aspirational goals are anchored on Vision 2030, a roadmap to achieving an upper middle-income status by that year.
The initial step to attaining Vision 2030 is adequately rehearsed in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), a five-year economic blueprint targeting an annual Gross Domestic Product growth rate of over 5 percent and the creation of about 760 000 formal jobs.
VP Chiwenga said NDS1 objectives are aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability, achieving and sustaining inclusive and equitable real GDP growth, promoting new enterprise development, employment and job creation, strengthening social infrastructure and social safety nets, promoting good governance, modernising the economy through ICTs and ensuring sustainable environmental protection.
“The stance taken by Zimbabwe towards growing its economy presents a host of trade and business opportunities with India.
“In order to facilitate the ease of doing business and streamline investment regulations, the Government of Zimbabwe established the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida),” said VP Chiwenga.
Zida is a one-stop investment centre whose operations are guided by the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Act, which has clear provisions on non-discriminatory business climate, company ownership, repatriation of funds and other key areas.
Online Reporter