Debra Matabvu Zimpapers Reporter
ZIMBABWE is seeking to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom, Portugal and Canada to unlock new opportunities for trade and investment under its engagement and re-engagement drive, President Mnangagwa has said.
The President made the remarks yesterday after receiving credentials from ambassadors-designate of the three countries at State House in Harare.
Writing on his microblogging platform, X, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed Harare’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships.
“Zimbabwe remains fully committed to our policy of ‘Friend to all and enemy to none’,” he said.
“Through continued engagement and re-engagement, we look forward to deepening our economic, bilateral and diplomatic ties with Portugal, Canada and the United Kingdom to unlock new opportunities for trade and investment.”
The diplomats expressed their countries’ commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with
Zimbabwe through increased trade, investment and people-to-people relations.
They identified opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, clean technology and enterprise financing, while highlighting the importance of stronger diplomatic ties amid changing global economic and political dynamics.
Portuguese Ambassador Rui Monteiro, who was the first to present his credentials, said his return to Zimbabwe, where he had previously spent two years, is an opportunity to build on existing relations and strengthen commercial and cultural ties.
“This is my second time here in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“This time I am back as an Ambassador and it is an upgrade of our relations, and that is our priority,” he said.
Ambassador Monteiro said his appointment had expanded his contacts with companies interested in exploring opportunities in Zimbabwe.
Discussions were also underway to promote the Portuguese language through cooperation between institutions in the two countries.
He said Zimbabwe and Portugal could also strengthen their partnership at the multilateral level, with both countries elected to serve on the United Nations Security Council during the 2027-2028 period.
“We will be colleagues and friends, not only in Harare, but also in New York, and it will be a good opportunity to know each other much better.
“We still need to improve our trade relations, relations of investments, to know each other’s priorities,” he said.
Ambassador Monteiro also called for greater African representation on the United Nations Security Council, saying the international system had evolved significantly since the Second World War and required a more representative approach.
United Kingdom Ambassador to Zimbabwe Gillian Joanna Lever said London remained committed
to building a modern and respectful partnership with Harare, with trade and investment, as well as opportunities for women and girls, among her priorities.
“The President and I discussed bilateral relationships,” she said.
“We talked about the modern, respectful partnership we have between the UK and Zimbabwe and I set out my priorities, which are trade and investment, women and girls.
“I think it is very important that we try to advance opportunities for women and girls and that we look to build the living bridge between our two countries, which is connecting our people through endeavours such as Air Zimbabwe that now has direct flights and growing those people-to-people links.”
Ambassador Lever said the UK was pursuing initiatives to support Zimbabwean farmers and entrepreneurs, alongside investments aimed at addressing the country’s energy needs.
She cited a US$50 million financing deal announced last month through British International
Investment to support farmers and entrepreneurs.
Canadian Ambassador Jeffery Senior congratulated Zimbabwe on its economic stability and growth, saying these developments, together with the Government’s ease-of-doing-business agenda, could help attract further investment.
He said expanding trade and investment would be a key priority during his tenure, citing opportunities arising from Zimbabwe’s natural resources and Canada’s expertise in sustainable energy, clean technology and agriculture.
“On the point of trade and investment, I think what I suggested to the President is that when you look at the resources of this country, the endowments, natural resources, and you look at what
Canada has to offer in terms of sustainable energy, clean tech, agriculture, every sector of the economy,” he said.
“I think there is room for growth in terms of the trade and investment between our countries.
“Just as Zimbabwe is open for business, Canada is open for business, I said to the President that our
Prime Minister, Prime Minister Carney, is setting a very ambitious international agenda for our country, and that includes diversifying our partnerships in trade, economics, politics, and security.”
Ambassador Senior also highlighted the importance of Zimbabwe’s participation in regional and international engagements, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the United Nations Security Council.
