Zimpapers Logo

Adv Dinha

Herald Reporter
A six-member delegation from Mashonaland Central left Zimbabwe yesterday for China as part of the implementation of investment deals signed between Zimbabwe and China at provincial level.

The delegation is being led by Provincial Affairs Minister Advocate Martin Dinha and also includes Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Cde Dickson Mafios.

Adv Dinha said the visit was aimed at promoting investment in Mashonaland Central but indications are that other provinces would also follow suit.

He said the visit was a reciprocal gesture following a visit by a Chinese business delegation to the province in April this year.

Adv Dinha said they would meet various stakeholders including Chinese authorities in Shanxi province during the 10-day visit.

“We heeded the call by His Excellency the President to implement the Look East policy and to accelerate the implementation of Zim-Asset through Foreign Direct Investment,” he said.

“We want investment in areas of agriculture, mining, ICT and tourism. We hosted a delegation from China at independence and they were impressed and this is a reciprocal visit to Shanxi province in China to further attract business.”

Adv Dinha said China presented vast opportunities for Zimbabwe. He said the Chinese wanted an elaborate explanation on Zim-Asset and clarity on the country’s indigenisation law.

“They (Chinese) want an explanation on Zim-Asset and the indigenisation law which the West has misconstrued and deliberately distorted to the world as part of their regime change agenda,” he said.

“The Chinese are anxious about the abundant mineral wealth in this country and the prevailing peace and tranquillity.

Adv Dinha said Mashonaland Central was already hosting five big Chinese companies which were specialising in agriculture and mining.

He said the companies were happy with the operating environment in Mashonaland Central.

“They were impressed by our investment environment because we assisted them in setting up shop and meeting the legal requirements,” he said.

Last year Zimbabwe and China signed multimillion-dollar deals that were underwritten by Presidents Mugabe and Xi Jinping respectively.

Substantial ground has been covered in the implementation of the deals with several exchange visits having been undertaken to define terms of reference and to map out the implementation framework.