ZIMBABWE and China have signed an economic and technical agreement worth more than US$50 million to facilitate cooperation in various economic sectors.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa witnessed the signing of the agreements at State House in Harare this Wednesday.
The agreement creates the bedrock for cooperation in several sectors of the country’s economy, with the citizenry also expected to benefit from the pact.
China’s top envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Zhou Ding, said the signing of the economic and technical cooperation agreement, as well as the exchange of letters for food assistance to be extended to Zimbabwe, are a testament of the excellent relations between the two nations.
“The signing of the agreements is yet another testament to the unbreakable bond between us. During President Mnangagwa’s visit to China last year, our two Presidents witnessed the signing of 17 agreements, and the Chinese President announced further assistance to Zimbabwe. Our comprehensive strategic partnerships have flourished under President Mnangagwa and President Jinping.”
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said the funds will among other things, go towards the provision of experts from China who will strengthen the country’s macro-economic environment and boosting agriculture production for selected crops.
“This agreement will go towards supporting development projects in Zimbabwe, it involves a sum of US$55 million equivalent. These resources will provide experts from China who will strengthen our macroeconomic environment, necessary for our development. They will support the development of NDS2 which will give our growth till 2030.
“It will also go a long way in supporting the growing of specific crops, such as mushroom, to empower our communities. In the past, some of these resources have gone towards improving water security in Manicaland and Masvingo, and we have seen boreholes being sunk. The projects from China go beyond this,” Professor Ncube said.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Honourable Kudakwashe Mnangagwa is convinced National Development Strategy One objectives will be achieved through such partnerships.
“I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations. The agreements mark a significant step forward in our cooperation and will undoubtedly bring about mutual benefits and prosperity to our nations. Indeed, achieving our national development strategy 1 goals is certain with such kind of support from our key development partners as China,” the Deputy Minister said.
Other key national projects that have been carried out with support from the People’s Republic of China include the Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and 8 expansion project, the Kariba South Hydro Power Station Extension Project, the expansion of the Robert Mugabe and Victoria Falls International Airports as well as the construction of the parliament building in Mount Hampden.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has handed over a consignment of equipment to the Air Force of Zimbabwe.
“This is intended to keep state institutions and premises clean by cutting grass around state institutions. We are very happy that we have this and will ensure it is properly used as I go around the institutions, I will make sure they are kept clean, grass is cut throughout the year,” he said.
Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander, Air Marshal Jacob John Nzvede expressed his appreciation for the new equipment.
“We are excited about this donation, we will use it to mow grass along the runways as this disturbs the aviation.”
Capacitating key national entities towards improving operations is being prioritised under the Second Republic as the country journeys towards an upper middle-income society by 2030.
