Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
THE Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has expressed interest in expanding its business footprint in Zimbabwe’s energy sector through the supply of fuel.
This emerged after the entity’s leadership paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House, Harare this Friday.
Ranked the 12th largest oil company, the ADNOC has already set its footprint in Zimbabwe’s energy sector.
Soon after the closed-door meeting, the entity’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ahmad Bin Thalith, highlighted the growing business relations between the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.
“The relations between Zimbabwe and the UAE are a unique one. We are covering one sector of the business, which is the supply of refined products into Zimbabwe. So, we want to expand that opportunity and increase that collaboration in Zimbabwe. We will be wanting to supply products like diesel, gasoline products that consumers regularly use, and we want to play our role in helping to maintain and secure the lowest prices possible for the retail session,” he said
The UAE business company expressed gratitude to the Zimbabwean government for the ease of doing business reforms that have resulted in the company setting up its business smoothly.
“We have already started a few months back and have a contract to supply, but we want to thank the President for making sure the process was smooth between the UAE and Zimbabwe. We bring a lot of opportunities with us where we can look for investment,” Mr Thalith said.
Zimbabwe relies heavily on imported fuel, with the majority coming through the Feruka pipeline.
The United Arab Emirates is Zimbabwe’s second-largest trading partner.
