Tinaye Agere
Hebert Zharare in SEOUL, South Korea
ZIMBABWE has begun negotiations with South Korea for it to be classified as an English-speaking country so as to open new job opportunities for local English teachers in the Asian country, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava has said.
He made these remarks during the signing ceremony of the Air Services Agreement on Cooperation and Assistance with his South Korean counterpart, Mr Cho Tae-Yul, on the sidelines of the South Korea-Africa Summit on Sunday.
The Air Services Agreement will play a crucial role in shaping international aviation policy and fostering cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Korea.
Minister Shava also requested the South Korean government to classify Zimbabwe as an English-speaking country to enable Zimbabweans to teach the English language there.
“English is an official language in Zimbabwe and the sole medium of instruction at all levels of education,” he said.
Zimbabwe is known for training professionals that are on demand the world over.
Currently, health professionals are trooping to countries such as the UK, America and Australia, among others.
However, these health professionals are travelling under private arrangements, thereby making it difficult for the country to benefit from the export of its human skills.
However, if the new bilateral proposal is successful, it would open up opportunities for Zimbabweans in South Korea, helping the country to also generate more foreign currency through Diaspora remittances.
In his inaugural Monetary Policy Statement in April, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said Diaspora remittances, through official channels, registered a 16 percent increase to US$1,87 billion last year, up from US$1,617 billion received during the same period in 2022.
Online Reporter