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Mr Wharton

Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
THE United States is confident that Zimbabwe can become Africa’s fastest growing economy, US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Bruce Wharton has said.
Speaking to journalists in Gweru on Wednesday soon after touring Naletale Ruins, Ambassador Wharton said the Government of Zimbabwe had taken positive steps towards economic growth.

He said the Zimbabwean economy was also gradually improving and urged citizens to be patient. This is despite the fact that the US has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe through the misnamed Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, now renamed the Zimbabwe Transition to Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, which has bled the country’s economy over the past decade to the tune of billions of dollars.

“Zimbabwe has a potential of becoming the fastest growing economy in Africa if there is an inflow foreign direct investment in the country.

“Zimbabwe has the intellectual capability, adequate infrastructure and a history of industrialisation. What is lacking in my view is investment. I think that Zimbabwe could take advantage of the international business and benefit.

“I am seeing a number of positive signs in economic growth. However, the economy is not going to turn around immediately. It is going to require some time,” he said.

Ambassador Wharton urged the Government to prioritise revival of the economy and also create more employment for the youth.

He said the Government had the mandate to ensure it secures foreign investments in-order to revive the economy.

“I have seen a number of positive steps towards improving and getting the Zimbabwean economy going. I think the Government should prioritise economic growth to ensure young people have decent jobs.

“Zimbabwe has to realise that to get investment, you will have to compete with Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia and other neighbouring countries,” he said.

Ambassador Wharton said Zimbabwe needed to come up with a clear policy framework and urged Government to look at other policies crafted by its neighbouring countries such as Zambia.

He said United States was willing to work with the Zimbabwean Government.

“We are willing to engage the people and the Government of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is important to the region, it is important to the world as well,” he said.

Ambassador Wharton said America was keen to engage the Zimbabwean Government and its people in-order to establish good relations.

“We want Zimbabwe to prosper and we support economic growth in the country and other Government initiatives,” he said.