Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
ZIMBABWE is hoping to further its cooperation with India in the energy, manufacturing, tourism, and health sectors as the 18th edition of the India Africa conclave takes centre stage in New Delhi.
The India- Africa conclave brings together think tanks, policymakers and investors in pursuit of enhanced India – Africa relations for development.
Vice President General (Rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is the head of the Zimbabwean delegation is expected to speak at a session that is part of the conclave later this Wednesday as well as hold bilateral meetings on Zimbabwe-India relations.
According to Vice President Chiwenga, platforms such as this conclave are key in Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
“These platforms allow us to enunciate our engagement agenda as we pursue Vision 2030 of an upper middle-income society. Currently, we have projects in the energy sector where we are partnering in the Deka Water pipeline as well as the rehabilitation of Hwange units 1-6 which, once finished will give us ample room to strategise this key sector in fields of solar and hydro for us to be self-sustainable for growth,” noted the Vice President.
He also highlighted the progress the country has made in the health sector through strategic partnerships with friendly countries like India.
“India is a leading giant in the pharmaceutical industry and we are tapping into that, we also have engagement in the training of our medical personnel and access to medication. We are also looking into India establishing a traditional medicine plant in Zimbabwe so that we are able to tap into the medical tourism sector,” he added.
With footprints in Zimbabwe through Varun Beverages and Surface Wilmar Pvt Ltd, along with ongoing partnerships in the Deka Water pipeline and the Hwange Units one to six rehabilitation, relations between Harare and New Dehli are on an upward trajectory.
With over 40 other African countries and 22 non-African states along with 800 businesses attending this year’s conference, Zimbabwe is also exhibiting at the Conclave under the banner of ZIMTRADE and ZIDA in the spirit of Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra, with a major focus on growing export markets covering every sector.
In agriculture, the focus will be on value addition, in mining beneficiation, in tourism the Zimbabwe delegation is hoping to attract more tourists with an average of 6000 Indian tourists visiting the nation every year.
The Zimbabwean delegation is made up of officials from the ministries of Information, publicity and broadcasting services, foreign affairs and international trade, industry and commerce, finance and economic development.
