Story by Wellington Makonese
ZIMBABWE and China have expressed commitment to continue fostering ties with particular attention being drawn towards rural industrialisation.
The need to continue on the path of rural industrialisation for inclusive development was central during the opening procession the inaugural Harare Forum for Africa.
The event has among others, brought together Chinese and Zimbabwean academia, with a view to enhance cooperation.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Zhou Ding said, “I think the Zimbabwean government shares the same vision in terms of developing its agriculture sector, which is the mainstay of its economy, providing livelihoods for approximately 67 percent of its population. Recently, His Excellency President Mnangagwa re-emphasised the crucial role of agriculture in driving Zimbabwe’s socio-economic growth and sustainable development. As an old friend, China would like to further share its experiences on rural revitalisation and support Zimbabwe’s agricultural development.
“China has set food security and poverty reduction as a priority area of our cooperation. Up to now, China has sent six groups of agricultural experts to Zimbabwe to provide agricultural technical assistance. I’m glad that some of our agricultural experts have now made the move. China has assisted Zimbabwe to drill 1,000 boreholes across the country in the last couple of years, providing clean water to more than 400,000 people. Another 300 boreholes will be drilled in the coming two years.”
Government spoke on the significance of having partners with a common vision towards modernisation.
“With the majority of Zimbabweans residing in the rural areas, it is essential to focus sustainable development initiatives in these areas to improve the standards of living of rural residents. In line with this realisation, the government of Zimbabwe is focusing substantial efforts and resources through various ministries and entities to undertake a number of rural development programmes meant to better the lives of the rural population.
“In relation to rural development initiatives, my ministry is playing a key role in the nation’s rural development strategy called Rural Development 8.0. In this era of globalisation and improved information technology infrastructure, learning and the exchange of ideas and experiences has become easier to realise. With China’s economic growth experience over the past few decades being noteworthy, we look forward as a nation to tap into the best practices used as we look to grow our culture-based values chains and accelerate the progress of rural development. It will be through platforms such as the Harare Forum for Africa that this can come to fruition,” said the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa.
Zimbabwe and China share a history of cooperation in several areas that include education, infrastructure development and agriculture.
