Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporter
ZIMBABWE is an ideal destination for capital as the safety and security of investments is always guaranteed, President Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing the media yesterday on arrival from two critical international engagements — the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held earlier in Madagascar and the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, which ended last week — the President said capital always goes where it feels safe.
“Those who have resources always want to make sure their money goes where it is safe, and Zimbabwe is one of those destinations where investments are secure,” he said.
He highlighted the cordial ties Zimbabwe continues to enjoy with both Madagascar and Japan.
“Well, first, we were warmly received in both places. They were very happy to welcome us. We have excellent relations with both countries,” he said.
President Mnangagwa, who handed over the chairpersonship of SADC to Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, said Zimbabwe continues to command respect and recognition at international forums.
On the sidelines of the regional bloc’s summit, President Rajoelina notably invited the President to the official opening of a new highway from Itavo International Airport to the capital, Antananarivo.
“This is not the first time we have been there, and I am always surprised by the level of attention we are given. I am happy that we received a lot of respect as a country,” President Mnangagwa said.
“It was an honour for us to be invited to open the road. It was an eight-kilometre stretch of tarmac which, to them, is a very important achievement. We wish them well and hope they will continue to do more in the future.”
The SADC summit, held under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”, centred on the region’s growth and development agenda.
At the end of his tenure, President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to fellow leaders for their support, particularly in advancing regional integration and resilience.
He warned, however, that climate change-induced challenges such as recurrent droughts continue to threaten food security and livelihoods in Southern Africa.
He applauded SADC for standing with Zimbabwe in calling for the lifting of Western-imposed unilateral sanctions, which he said remain an obstacle to sustainable economic recovery and development.
From Madagascar, the President proceeded to Japan, where he joined other African and Japanese leaders at TICAD9, a platform launched in 1993 to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, infrastructure and health.
The conference’s focus on infrastructure development, industrialisation, agriculture, food security, peace, stability and health resonated strongly with Zimbabwe’s development priorities. These align with the country’s foreign policy thrust and Vision 2030, which is premised on achieving an empowered, modern and highly prosperous country.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira believes both the SADC summit and TICAD9 will further boost Zimbabwe’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy, consolidating its engagement and re-engagement drive on the international stage.
