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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
One of the largest Asian airlines, Qatar Airways, is set to launch flights to Zimbabwe, with negotiations between the airline and the Government already at an advanced stage.

Qatar’s ambassador Mr Salem Al-Jaber, revealed this after paying a courtesy call together with a business delegation from his country on Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Offices last week.

“Qatar Airways will soon start flights to Harare and Victoria Falls and discussions are on-going and now at an advanced stage,” Mr Al-Jaber said.

Qatar Airways flies to over 150 destinations globally with its fleet of over 150 aeroplanes.

Mr Al-Jaber said they also discussed investment opportunities in the country and said they were interested in venturing into mining, agriculture and real estate development.

“We also discussed ways of doing business in Zimbabwe, especially in areas that include agriculture, mining and real estate development,” he said, adding that in mining they were interested in minerals such as diamond, gold and copper.

Earlier on VP Mnangagwa met with the new Chinese ambassador Mr Huang Ping, who also pledged to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

“We discussed so many things that we can do together to expand our areas of cooperation, especially in the agricultural sector, mining and infrastructure development,” said Mr Huang after the meeting.

Outgoing US ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bruce Wharton also paid a courtesy call on VP Mnangagwa to bid him farewell.

He said relations between Harare and Washington had improved during his tour of duty.

“We had a very positive discussion and we both agreed that we have made progress in the past three years and that there is more we can do,” Mr Wharton.

He commended Zimbabwe for adopting a homegrown Constitution adding that emphasis should be put on improving the investment climate.

On the illegal sanctions the US imposed on Zimbabwe, Mr Wharton said both countries had a role to play if the sanctions were to be removed.

He said a final decision to remove the coercive measures lay with the US Congress and president.