Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere in NEW DELHI, India
ZIMBABWE is seeking actionable outcomes that can immediately impact the economy, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
Speaking on arrival in New Delhi for the 20th India Africa Business Conclave organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, which opens this morning, VP Chiwenga, who is leading a multi-sectoral delegation, said the team is targeting to leverage India’s existing investment foothold in Zimbabwe to secure even more and inject impetus into national economic growth.
Prior to arriving in New Delhi, VP Chiwenga spent days in Surat, Gujarat State, where he was a guest of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce as part of the chamber’s quest to scout for opportunities in Zimbabwe’s economic sectors including diamond beneficiation, the cotton industry, agriculture and skills development.
Now focus is shifting to the glamorous and deep pocketed India Africa Business Conclave through which the world’s fourth largest economy is targeting opportunities on the African continent.
“We had a successful working visit in Surat where we were invited by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and there are various sectors we will be collaborating with,” said VP Chiwenga.
“We knew that they excel in diamond value addition, with around 90 percent of the world’s diamonds processed there.
“We are exploring partnerships for value addition of our diamonds in Zimbabwe, as well as securing direct sales to the market, avoiding third-party intermediaries”.
In agriculture, he said, focus is on boosting cotton production, as India is strong in the textile industry.
VP Chiwenga said the cotton sector needs to start value addition at the source of farming.
“For instance, cotton grown in Tsholotsho was marketed in Gokwe but we want value addition processes to be done closer to farmers for the benefit of local communities. We produce excellent lint and we want it to be value-added in Zimbabwe”.
VP Chiwenga said at the Conclave, Zimbabwe’s multi-sectoral delegation comprised various sectors, including ministries and State entities.
“Our goal is to achieve actionable outcomes. We can start small, but whatever we agree upon must be implemented.
“India has made significant investments in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole, but we seek more for the development of our economy.
“We want to boost our productive sectors through value addition to create jobs for our population. The main thrust of this mission is actionable outcomes, we want results,” he said.
The Vice President is accompanied by his wife Colonel Miniyothabo Chiwenga, the Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, Deputy Ministers including Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini, Higher and Tertiary Education Smelisizwe Sibanda, Energy and Power Development Yeukai Simbanegavi, and Agriculture Vangelis Haritatos.
Also in the delegation is the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Engineer Amos Marawa, Permanent Secretaries and representatives of a number of State Entities.
Online Reporter