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Bin Saqr Al Qasimi at the Al Dhait Palace here yesterday to clarify on areas of co-operation that require urgent implementation under the six sector-specific Memoranda of Understanding signed between Zimbabwe and the emirate in February.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Cde Mujuru said Sheikh Saud sought to understand key objectives Zimbabwe has tied to the identified areas.
The two leaders are expected to conclude deliberations today after which the polished components of the MoUs and the implementation timeframe would be made known. Mining, health, tourism, industry and commerce, energy and agriculture are the sectors earmarked for collaboration.
“This one (meeting) was to try and polish up on other things that we wanted him to really have a clear understanding on as to what exactly we want to do; where we want quick-wins and what we want done between his government and ours,” said Cde Mujuru.
“He came with certain issues hanging; issues that he wanted clarified by us. So, since I am in this region I thought it would be better for me to pass by and explain those things.”
In February, Zimbabwe and Ras Al Khaimah signed MoUs that cleared the way for business relations between their economies following a visit to Harare by Sheikh Saud.
Vice-President Mujuru urged the emirate to take advantage of investment opportunities in the Southern African state while the RAK leader emphasised that partnerships were critical to success.
As part of the on-going efforts to identify specific points of co-operation, Cde Mujuru yesterday toured Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, one of the largest drug manufacturing plants in the Middle East.
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The firm is the fourth biggest producer of insulin globally and boasts of 211 product brands distributed across more than 30 countries.
Cde Mujuru also visited the world’s largest ceramic tile manufacturing company, RAK Ceramics.
Regarding pharmaceuticals, she said Government would continue advocating partnerships across the business sectors of the two nations.
“It is friendship that we have come to look for. We are trying to twin businesspeople from Ras Al Khaimah and Zimbabwe so that they work together and exchange ideas.
“I hope our team will learn a lot from the visit. We want to see areas of co-operation between Zimbabwe and Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries. We are open-minded; I hope this visit will be followed by visits to Zimbabwe.
“This is one of the areas that are very important in our country. Hence, we would want to see how they can come back and work with the Government of Zimbabwe, the private sector and pharmaceutical companies.”
Vice-President Mujuru is in the United Arab Emirates to attend the Africa Global Business Forum and to reciprocate Sheikh Saud’s visit.
She is expected to present a paper at the business forum which opens tomorrow. More than 2 000 policy-makers and business leaders drawn from Africa, Asia and Europe are scheduled to attend the meeting.
Online Reporter