President Emmerson Mnangagwa has met with his Swiss
counterpart President Alain Berset in Davos, and the two leaders shared
perspectives on economic and political issues of mutual interest.
The Swiss President assured President Mnangagwa that
developments that took place in Zimbabwe and the new government’s approach has
brought a positive disposition to the EU and Zimbabwe relations.
Relations between
Switzerland and Zimbabwe centre on development co-operation and humanitarian
aid but talks held by countries’ two leaders this Thursday are anticipated to
usher in a new relationship.
President Mnangagwa, who was accompanied by Foreign Affairs
and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant General Dr Sibusiso Moyo
and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting
Services Mr George Charamba met President Berset at his Davos offices.
According to Mr Charamba, the two leaders had fruitful
discussions that focused on political and economic issues.
President Mnangagwa
briefed President Berset on the smooth transition that led to his ascension in
November last year.
The Zimbabwean leader, who is in Davos attending the World
Economic Forum, explained to his counterpart his government’s new policy thrust.
He told President Berset that the Indigenisation and
Economic Empowerment Act has been amended to reflect the new government’s
policy position.
On Wednesday a representative from global food and beverage
manufacturer, Nestle, held a meeting with President Mnangagwa and when the two
leaders met this Thursday they also discussed how Zimbabwe can become a
distribution hub of Nestle products.
In the past six
years, Nestle Zimbabwe has invested close to US$30 million in the refurbishment
and upgrading of its cereals and milo plants and equipment to increase
production levels.
Unlocking the full potential of Zimbabwe’s resources and
increasing of exports are critical to economic recovery and according to Cde
Charamba, President Mnangagwa explained efforts that the country is making to
ensure it embarks on value addition on agriculture products, especially cotton
and soya beans. Currently, Zimbabwe is a primary exporter of raw minerals and a
net importer of several critical consumables including food and President
Mnangagwa told his counterpart that assistance in this area would be welcome.
The greatest potential for Zimbabwe to attract foreign
investment lies in mineral resources.
The country has the
world’s second largest platinum reserves after South Africa, and a host of
other minerals like diamonds, coal, nickel and chrome and President Mnangagwa
explained the minerals that are open to foreign investors.
President Mnangagwa explained various legislation measures
that Zimbabwe is taking to discard the investor hostile tag and become an
investor friendly country.
“The President
assured the Swiss leader that Zimbabwe will keep dialogue lines open with
investors in case there are other grey areas that maybe of concern to
investors,” said Mr Charamba.
President Berset assured President Mnangagwa that because
of developments that have taken place in Zimbabwe his country is willing to
engage and support the Zimbabwean government.
President Berset said he is aware that former President
Robert Mugabe, his wife, service chiefs and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries are
still on sanctions but he assured his Zimbabwean counterpart that the sanctions
will be reviewed periodically.
President Mnangagwa’s meeting with President Berset is
expected to see the volume of trade between Switzerland and Zimbabwe improving.
The European Union country imports agricultural products
from Zimbabwe and exports machines and pharmaceutical products to Zimbabwe but
trade between the two countries is generally low despite a bilateral investment
protection agreement that was signed between Switzerland and Zimbabwe in 2001.
President Mnangagwa
also had time to meet the president of the African Development Bank Dr Akinwumi
Adesina in Davos where they discussed issues to do with support for
infrastructural
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