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Minister Chinamasa

Conrad Mwanawashe and Tinashe Makichi—
A FIVE-member British trade delegation is in Zimbabwe to explore areas of co-operation and establish potential ways to fund the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation. The delegation yesterday met Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa and expressed interest in infrastructure development which include transport, energy and power generation, mining and water.

This is the first British Government-sponsored delegation to visit Zimbabwe in 20 years and Minister Chinamasa said the visit marked the first stage in the normalisation of relations with Britain.

The delegation, which is being led by British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Catriona Laing comprises of experts in infrastructure development, programme management and communications services, physical and infrastructure solutions and socio-economic infrastructure development.
Minister Chinamasa said the team is in Zimbabwe to explore ways to assist in the implementation of Zim-Asset.

“The trade delegation is on a mission to investigate areas of co-operation and areas of investment opportunities. They are investigating how they can facilitate the implementation of our Zim-Asset economic programme,” said Minister Chinamasa.

“This is the first visit by a British trade delegation in 20 years. So I consider this visit very significant in that it is marking the first step in our normalisation of relations between the United Kingdom, but we must understand that normalisation of relations political or economic is not an event but a process,” he said.

“I have welcomed them, and I have basically told them what I have been telling every would-be investor that Zimbabwe is open to investment from any quarter of the world,” said Minister Chinamasa. He said he had given the delegation a ‘very frank and full detailed brief on the economy and the challenges that we are facing and also the opportunities that lie ahead’.

“While we are facing challenges, these challenges are not insurmountable and they can be solved and I hope that the delegation when they go back, they will act as our ambassadors,” Minister Chinamasa said.

Ambassador Laing said Britain is Zimbabwe’s largest bilateral donor spending $116 million this year through our department for international development.
“The UK is committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s future stability and prosperity and accordingly we are undertaking confidence building measures, including the resumption of official trade missions,” said Ambassador Laing.

“Our trade mission will help to start that dialogue and this mission has specifically focused on Zim-Asset looking at where British expertise can help implement those projects needed to kick start the economy, creating employment and alleviating poverty.

“Our programmes include $72 million to help raise agricultural productivity, $23 million to provide finance to businesses and microfinance institutions, and $8 million to support business advocacy and build private and public sector capacity,” she said.

The delegation will meet Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru, Ministers of Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Francis Nhema, Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Obert Mpofu, Energy and Power Development Dzikamai Mavhaire.

They will also meet the Ministers of Mines and Mining Development Walter Chidhakwa, Industry and Commerce Michael Bimha, and Environment, Water and Climate Saviour Kasukuwere.

Minister Chinamasa said the visit was critical in that the delegation would be central in linking Zimbabwe with investors and international financiers.