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Africa Moyo in BALI, Indonesia
VICE President Kembo Mohadi is expected here today where he will lead Zimbabwe’s delegation at the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) and the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnership, which are aimed at deepening political and economic relations.
The conferences, set to be attended by over 1 500 delegates from across Africa and some parts of the world, run from tomorrow up to September 3.
Apart from VP Mohadi, four Presidents and two Prime Ministers are expected to attend the events.
Some of the leaders expected include Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council.
Also expected are Prime Ministers Russell Mmiso Dlamini of Eswatini and Xanana Gusmao of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, and representatives from Uganda, DRC, Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Sudan, Angola, Namibia, among others.
Some delegates from African countries such as Tanzania could be seen accompanied by police on the streets of Bali near the venue yesterday.
It was a hive of activity yesterday as workers were putting final touches to preparations for the conferences at the venue, Hotel Mulia, in the Nusa Dua resort area.
The Indonesia-Africa Forum will run under the theme, “Bandung Spirit for Africa’s Agenda 2063”, but will have many sub-themes related to Indonesia and Africa’s priorities.
The spirit of the Asian-African Conference (KAA) guides Indonesia’s relationship with Africa in working together to achieve the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045 and Africa’s Agenda 2063 of the “Africa We Want”.
Indonesia and Africa have great potential for co-operation, with a combined Gross Domestic Product of US$4,4 trillion and a population of 1,7 billion.
The Second Indonesia-Africa Forum is expected to focus on issues related to food, economic transformation, development co-operation, health security and energy and mining.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa and Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation general manager Engineer Blessed Chitambira, are expected to make presentations at the conference.
It is also expected that as part of the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum series, the first Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum will be held.
Yesterday, the Indonesian Military and National Police said they were ready to provide security to delegates, with over 13 000 personnel in place.
Indonesia continues to strengthen its position as a reliable development partner on the international stage, particularly among developing countries, including the African region.
It is one of Zimbabwe’s dependable allies, which has supported Harare in different ways over the years, with the two countries signing a Joint Permanent Commission of Co-operation in 2015 to deepen co-operation, although not much movement has been recorded.
After Cyclone Idai struck, Indonesia provided Zimbabwe a grant aid of US$150 000 for the purchase of medicines to support the injured.
Indonesian State-owned companies are keen to partner the National Railways of Zimbabwe in its rail rehabilitation programme.
Given its huge investments in electric vehicle manufacturing, Indonesia is also interested in lithium from Zimbabwe.
It also wants gold and tin.
Since last year, Zimbabwe is exporting blueberries to Indonesia where they are sold in shops such as Ranch Market, Foodhall and Gatot Subroto.
Last year, Indonesia’s Co-ordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, led a 23-member delegation to Zimbabwe to explore investment opportunities.
During the visit, Minister Pandjaitan paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa.
Online Reporter