Zimbabwe and China spur rural development

The Rural Development 8.0 policy is playing a key role in the development of marginalised areas, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Mutsvangwa has said.

Minister Mutsvangwa was speaking at the Harare Forum for Africa held in Harare.The event was running under the theme ‘Mutual Learning between Chinese and Zimbabwean Civilisations and Rural Development Cooperation’.

The Minister said the forum has allowed China and Zimbabwe to develop new synergies for cooperation in the area of cultural promotion as well as the development of rural economies.

“It is expected that this forum will work as a catalyst for positive interaction and cooperation for both countries,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She said Government is implementing various women empowerment programmes in rural areas.”Government is supporting the development and sustainable growth of rural-based livelihoods and enterprises. Women, communities, cooperatives and MSMEs domiciled in rural areas are being assisted with sustainable financing, capacity building initiatives and market linkage support,” she said.

“These initiatives include the Women in Tourism programme, which is part of the broad-based women’s economic empowerment initiative. With culture and tourism moving hand in glove, the Ministry is supporting female entrepreneurs and innovators in the tourism sector, including those involved in the production of local cultural artefacts and services such as local hospitality and cuisine,” she said.