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ZIMBABWE yesterday marked an historic day when the private sector, diplomats and members of the public were given a rare window into the operations of Government.
The window, opened by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa, should actually remain open and accessible to the different members of the economic, social and political order. Minister Chinamasa presented a detailed catalogue of President Mugabe’s trip to China which has unlocked infrastructural support from the Asian giant.

He was speaking at the breakfast meeting hosted by the Herald Business under the theme; “Zim-Sino Agreements; What Next?”
The spin-offs from the trip, as enunciated by Minister Chinamasa, include but are not limited to; support for infrastructure rehabilitation and construction, expansion of existing energy generation plants and support towards road construction and maintenance.

Minister Chinamasa went to the extent of disclosing how much the Government has paid to the Bretton Woods institutions and other creditors. He conceded that Zimbabwe should do more in terms of management of parastatals. Critically, Minister Chinamasa dispelled the myth that the President’s trip was to beg for US$4 billion budgetary support from China. Nothing could be further from the truth. He said the trip was benchmarked on strengthening relations with China and committing Zimbabwe to clear arrears for loans secured long back.

The robust debate that followed Minister Chinamasa’s presentation highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue between Government and its publics. Such was the openness and constructive criticism that Zimbabwe needs going forward. We were impressed by the composition of the delegates. Several Ambassadors from other countries graced the occasion, so did the business community, bankers, industrialists, economic analysts, politicians, industrialists, the church and members of the public. It was an inclusive business meeting punctuated by an exchange of seriousness and laughter as all who were present sought to make an input into the economic affairs of Zimbabwe. No wonder the breakfast meeting was over-subscribed.

The coming of other Members of the Diplomatic Corp signalled how the world wants normal relations with Zimbabwe. It is critical that as the Herald Business continues to take another trajectory, that of being the platform that the private sector can interact with Government.

Minister Chinamasa was frank in his presentation and in his responses to questions, hiding nothing and leaving no grey areas.
This underlined that the Government is accountable to its people; that it values the contributions of the private sector in economic development and that it respects constructive criticism.

Our pride is in the people who contributed to the organisation of the breakfast meeting, to the Ministers who attended as a show of support and to the delegates who all were frank in their contributions. The meeting could have passed as a damp squib if there had not been a captive audience that paid attention to detail. The Herald Business urges all sceptics and doubting Thomases to attend such interfaces in future if they truly want to see Zimbabwe progressing. Engagement is key to progress. It is critical that Zimbabweans and other like-minded friendly nations continue dialoguing for the greater good of all nations.

We are under no illusion that there are no detractors who try to permeate the good that the Government has started. Neither are we naïve to the reality that saboteurs will seek to pour scorn on the Herald Business’ efforts, but we are ready to put our neck on the block as long as we are on track to bring the Government and the people together.

True to our values, we are there to provide the economic affairs of the Government and the private sector to the people.
We represent those who obviously cannot attend all high profile meetings but our small contribution is to highlight the economic matters for people to make informed choices in business and in their lives. The Herald Business is sworn to holding the Government and the private sector to account. And the Zim-Sino breakfast meeting is the first of many more interactive sessions to follow.

We thrive to have the business paper of choice and until now we pride ourselves in having taken the lead in this course. Even the ZAMPS survey cemented our position as being the favourite read for business news.