Zimbabwe seeks growth in skills development
Story by Wellington Makonese
THE Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day was commemorated in Harare Monday night with special attention on growing ties with Zimbabwe in skills and technology development.
The event provided a platform to highlight the progress being made in addressing the country’s skills demands and innovation-based development.
This comes after Zimbabweans drawn from different sectors of the economy were in India for a study visit.
“This chapter allowed us to focus on the Indian system of governance, how they have devolved which is something we are adapting to as a country,” said one of the participants.
Another added, “We had the opportunity to visit various places to learn different cultures and forge partnerships that could enhance our skills.”
“India is one country that is technologically advanced, with a huge population, so this programme allowed us to see how technology can be effective to the advantage of a country,” said another participant.
India – Zimbabwe relations have seen the country benefiting in several areas, including an extension of lines of credit.
Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Vijay Khanduja said, “ITEC is a demand-driven program that is determined by the needs of the benefiting country and Africa has become a special focus for us looking at sectors such as health cybersecurity, journalism and banking among others. Our ties with Zimbabwe date back from the liberation struggle and are growing as we more and more centers for developing Zimbabwe.”
“Our skills audit showed that we required skills upgrades in digital literacy, financial management, policy development, monitoring and evaluation which are available under ITEC. Lines of credit have benefited us through Hwange and Bulawayo thermal stations, receiving rice and medicine from India,” said Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda.
Zimbabwe has also benefited from Indian investments worth over US$500 million while 17 Indo-Zim technology centres have been established.
