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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The country’s diplomats have been urged to work tirelessly towards ending Zimbabwe’s isolation through increased re-engagement efforts with their host nations. This was said by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Lieutenant General (Retired) Sibusiso Moyo last Friday in his closing remarks at the end of the week long re-orientation workshop for the country’s Heads of Diplomatic Missions. He reiterated that the country’s new foreign policy thrust focused on the economy should be embedded in their mindsets.

“It is critical therefore that you work tediously to end the country’s isolation by re-engaging your hosts and warming up to countries we have been keeping at arm’s length in the past.

“As you embrace search for economic opportunity that can immediately accrue to our people, tell them that a new dawn has come to Zimbabwe and that the country is open for business. Let this be the chorus for all your engagements,” Minister Moyo said.

Minister Moyo said it was important that the country’s diplomats be fully grounded in the policy initiatives that Government considers as priorities in the immediate future and beyond.

“Our common and guiding focus should be that of delivering more meaningfully as we address the challenges confronting our nation and impact positively on the economic well-being of our people.

“The workshop has covered the main tenets of our foreign policy thrust in particular its economic bias. Indeed this should now be embedded in your mindsets as you return to your stations,” he said. The diplomats were addressed and shared with various ministries and agencies on duties mandated to them under the new dispensation.

These include the Ministries of Finance and Economic Development, Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development, Tourism and Hospitality, Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, the RBZ, the Zimbabwe Investment Authority and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Minister Moyo also urged the diplomats to engage Zimbabwe’s Diaspora to ensure they contribute meaningfully to the country’s development. “Marshall as much business and Foreign Direct Investment as your host countries can offer. Assure those still hesitant of our sincerity that Zimbabwe will honour its obligations whether bilaterally or otherwise.

“The re-engagements with all our constituencies should be foremost in the tasks before you on return to your stations. Remember that our Diaspora community is key to those efforts. We expect to see them play a more active and meaningful role in the revival of our economy. You should attend fully to their needs and give them a sense of pride in associating with the developmental efforts of their nation,” he said.

Minister Moyo urged the diplomats to brief their hosts of President Mnangagwa’s message that the forthcoming elections would be free and fair, adding any acts of violence would not be tolerated. He also said they should put Zimbabwe first in everything they do. Meanwhile, the diplomats were also registered as voters by ZEC during the workshop.