Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
FRANCE is keen to improve business and trade ties with Zimbabwe, driven by a 20 percent growth in trade to over US$70 million last year.
The official opening of the Francophone Week Thursday night, created a platform to review Zimbabwe’s relations with France in terms of business, trade, and socio-economic development.
“The past few weeks have been key in as much as our drive to value Zimbabwe on Bilateral ties is concerned, official statistics show that trade between the two countries reached over US$70 million, while this shows a 20 percent rise,” the French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Paul Bertrand Barets said.
“We still have a lot of work to do and this Francophone Week serves to show how France continues to engage global partners with Zimbabwe being a main priority riding on the gains that have been achieved, going forward we expect the existing cordial relations to continue.”
Several French investors are lining up to explore available opportunities in Zimbabwe this year.
“As you know, there will be a European Union, Zimbabwe Business Forum this year, several French companies and investors have also confirmed their participation in the event in what will mark further commitment to the growth of business ties between the two countries.
“This will further testify to the growing relations, and provide an opportunity for increased investments including joint ventures that will likely have a potential to boost business relations, so indeed, France is more than willing to work with Zimbabwe,” the Ambassador said.
The Francophone Week official opening ceremony which was also attended by diplomats, government officials, and the private sector, among others, provides an opportunity for France to showcase several aspects in terms of social, culture, arts, industry, and commerce.
In Zimbabwe, several programmes are lined up for Francophone Week which runs from March 8 to March 23.
It also seeks to promote the French language systems, offering a platform for cultural exchanges while creating an opportunity for French-speaking countries to exhibit their cultural values and activities.
Films, concerts, buffets, and exhibitions are some of the key features of the Francophone Week.
Zimbabwe which is forging ahead with the re-engagement and engagement policy has also identified France as a key economic and business partner.
The trend has seen both economies agreeing on mutual cooperation in strategic sectors of the economy such as energy, mining and manufacturing, among others.
