Swiss urge firms to access markets in Europe Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga welcomes Swiss Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Niculin Jaeger (centre) and the embassy staff at Munhumutapa offices in Harare yesterday. -Picture: Believe Nyakudjara

Mukudzei Chingwere Herald Reporter  

The Swiss government has implored local companies to exploit the good bilateral relations that exist between the European country and Zimbabwe to access markets in Europe.

Switzerland’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Niculin Jaeger made the remarks after paying a courtesy call on Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga at his Munhumutapa offices yesterday.

The central European country has already made massive investment in the country with companies like Bata, Nestle and Lafarge enjoying a foothold on the local market.

Speaking to the media after his exchange with Acting President Chiwenga, the Swiss envoy said they were willing to increase partnerships in health and the agricultural sector.

“I had a good exchange with  Acting President Constantino Chiwenga. Part of the discussion focused on the bilateral relations between our two countries. Long standing and friendly relations.

“Switzerland has a strong footprint of investment and companies in Zimbabwe and we wanted to see how we can welcome more Zimbabwean companies in Switzerland as a hub in central Europe,” said Ambassador Jaeger.

The agricultural sector together with sectors like mining are seen as areas which the vision 2030, of creating an upper middle income society, should be leveraged on.

While the health sector is being transformed to match best international practices and giving quality care to all.

Zimbabwe is also committed to boosting its manufacturing of medical consumables as a way of improving the health services.

Ambassador Jaeger noted his country was committed to taking part in the investment drive of the country.

“Our discussion also focused on Swiss pharmaceutical companies and how they can provide high quality medicines to Zimbabwe through direct procurement.

“I also briefed His Excellency on the development programmes that Switzerland is supporting in Zimbabwe through the Swiss Agency for Development in partnership with the authorities here, especially in the health sector.”

The economy of Switzerland is one of the world’s most advanced and highly-developed free-market economies with very low levels of unemployment and highly skilled labour force which Zimbabwe is also renowned for.

Zimbabwe has revised its foreign policy thrust to push for trade and investment and boost the country’s exports as well as creating employment as a way of improving people’s livelihoods.

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