The two leaders met for bilateral talks on the final day of
the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama.
Later, President Mnangagwa also met Japan’s powerful
Emperor, His Majesty Naruhito in a closed meeting as he concluded his
successful tour to Japan. Speaking to journalists from Zimbabwe after his
meeting with Prime Minister Abe, the President said the engagement had been
fruitful.
“This morning (yesterday) I had a very important meeting
with the Prime Minister of Japan himself, Prime Minister Abe and in the process
we shared our views of cooperation. We discussed economic cooperation and trade
cooperation between Zimbabwe and Japan, with the interest that Japan has and is
eager to do their best to support the recovery of our economy.
“They are well informed about the situation in our economy
in the country and they have given us several grants to assist us in several
areas, in particular in the agriculture sector.”
President Mnangagwa said TICAD had unlocked an avalanche of
opportunities as Zimbabwe is billed to tap into a US$20 billion fund that Japan
offered to African countries.
“I think it was critically important that Zimbabwe
participated at TICAD. We are going to benefit from TICAD (financially).
“The initial amount is about US $20 billion that has been
put on the table by Japan with the possibilities of that amount being
increased.
“It is up to the individual member states of the AU to come
up wih projects. For Zimbabwe we already have promises of support in various
areas.”
The President said Prime Minister Abe had offered support
to fund mechanisation of Zimbabwe’s agriculture.
“In particular, in my discussions with the Prime Minister
of Japan, he said Japan is willing to look at supporting us in the
modernisation and mechanisation of our agriculture and development of our
infrastructure.”
Discussions with Prime Minister also included the issue of
advancing Zimbabwe’s railway network. “He (Prime Minister Abe) also said it is necessary that we
develop our linkage with the outside world through modernising our railways,”
President Mnangagwa said.
The President said he also negotiated with Prime Minister
Abe for Japan to finance a number of infrastructure projects around the
country.
“We have discussed again with the Prime Minister the
possibility of Japan financing the ring road around the city of Harare, which
is a US$110 million project.
“We also discussed the issue of rehabilitating Birchenough
Bridge on the Save River and several other irrigation projects.
“There are several other projects that they have said they
will look at. In the area of ICT and technologies, they have said Japan is
looking at modernising our agriculture, modernising our mining sector,
modernising our infrastructure development and all those areas.”
On the social front, Japan committed to provide millions of
dollars for Harare Hospital’s children ward.
“During my visit here, Japan has also undertaken to
modernise and refurbish the pediatric department at Harare Hospital. It will
cost some money but they agreed that they will take that and proceed.
Furthermore, Japan’s Government pledged 150 000 tonnes of
grain to mitigate the effects of last year’s drought. The President said after returning home, he will launch an
irrigation project funded by Japan.
“As I go back I am going to commission an irrigation
project on the eastern part of the country, the Nyakomva Irrigation Scheme,
which is in its second phase and has been financed by Japan. So you can see how
much they are assisting Zimbabwe.”
Yesterday, the President also said there were several
investors keen to invest in Zimbabwe.
During TICAD, Zimbabwe caught the eye of international
investors as the new emerging market for global capital.
The 7th TICAD summit was held under the theme “Accelerating
Economic Transformation and Improving Business Environment through Innovation
and Private Sector Engagement.”
African Heads of States, led by African Union President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attended TICAD. Herald
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