Consolidating unity, peace and economic sovereignty

April 18 is Zimbabwe’s National Day and as the country observes its 35 anniversary Zimbabwe remains committed to the principles of good neighbourliness Pan Africanism, non interference in the internal affairs of other countries and the equality of States on the global arena. The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe marks the land revolution of 2000 as an important historical epoch since the countries attainment of independence in 1980. That land revolution born out of the need by the government to empower its people resulted in Britain and its Western allies imposing Illegal economic sanctions on the country. Zimbabwe went on to experience a deteriorating 

economic environment and low industrial capacity utilisation, leading to the overall decline in its GOP. It no doubt also led to untold suffering to the general populace of its people. As the country moved forward, post 31 July 2013 Harmonised Election, after the landslide victory bythe ZANU PF Party that was given a mandate to govern the country for a five(5) year term, there arose the need to put in place an economic blueprint focused on a people centered government that prides itself in promoting equitable development and prosperity for all Zimbabweans, whilst leveraging own resources. 

The plan also needed to ensure that there is sustainable growth and development of the economy by among other things, engendering unity of purpose among our different stakeholders. That economic blue-print is known as the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIM ASSET). ZIM ASSET is a cluster based Plan, reflecting the strong need to fully exploit the internal linkages that exist between the various facets of the economy.  It’s main four pillars are: Food Security and Nutrition; Social Services and Poverty Eradication; Infrastructure and Utilities; and Value Addition and Beneficiation.

The Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe would seek to promote the objectives of ZIM ASSET by complementing its “Look East Policy” that it pursues towards India. In this regard Zimbabwe will seek to further cultivate and strengthen strong economic relations not only with India but also other countries in the region to which it is accredited namely: Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe endeavours to partner particularly Indian business, in exploiting the numerous investment opportunities that exist in the mining, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, health, tourism and transport among other sectors. Our Asian friends are also welcome to venture into non traditional sectors such as retail, Information Communication Technology, banking and services that are growing sectors of the Zimbabwean economy. In this regard, Zimbabwe would above all, stress on value addition and the processing of primary products before export. We hope that the ratification of the Bilateral Investment and Protection Agreement by Zimbabwe in June last year would go a long way in assuring Indian and other investors confidence in doing business with Zimbabwe.