Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
ZIMBABWE and Canada are pursuing new avenues for cooperation in various areas and sectors of the economy.
Zimbabwe this Thursday joined Canada in commemorating its National Day which marks 156 years since the British Parliament passed the British North America Act, which consolidated the three colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, leading to the creation of Canada on the 1st of July in 1867.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Fredrick Shava spoke of Zimbabwe’s readiness and commitment to enhance the long-standing ties between our two countries.
“Let me take this opportunity to reiterate Zimbabwe’s readiness and commitment to enhance the long-standing ties between our two countries. It is our hope that our two Governments will continue to work together to strengthen relations and to expand areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples,” noted Ambassador Shava.
“Your Excellency, I wish to reiterate our appreciation for investments by Canadian companies in the mining sector, as well as the technical and humanitarian support by the Government of Canada in various sectors of our economy, such as health, gender equality and climate change resilience.”
“Canada has supported Zimbabwe when the country was faced with emergency needs that include Cyclones Idai and the Covid-19 pandemic. We indeed appreciate the cooperation which has a positive effect, not only on the lives of citizens, but on the performance of the economy,” Ambassador Shava added.
Canada’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe; Her Excellency Christina Buchan highlighted ongoing engagements between the two countries amid hopes for more collaboration.
“To serve that goal, the embassy here in Harare helps Canadian businesses to find innovative ways to expand trade and investment in Zimbabwe. Hatch Ltd – represented by Dusan, Erne, and Peter (please wave). Hatch supplies engineering and construction projects, business consulting, and operational services to the mining and energy sectors across Zimbabwe,” Ambassador Buchan said.
“We have Polaris – with the President Bill Mooney. Polaris Seismic is Canada’s oldest seismic company and they are currently working with Invictus on the Cabora Bassa oil and gas project. Earth Scan technologies use drones and new low-impact ground geophysical tools to detect mining targets and hazards.”
“We also thank SkyPower, an independent power producer that develops, finances, builds, owns and operates utility-scale renewable power projects across the globe,” she added.
Canada is also participating in the Structured Dialogue Platform meetings on Zimbabwe’s Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process.