Tanzanian President John Magufuli yesterday extended his
working visit in Zimbabwe as he held bilateral talks to deepen, promote and
consolidate cooperation with his opposite number, President Mnangagwa. The
extension, fairly a rarity in statecraft, came as the two leaders pledged to
transfigure existing historical and political relations towards a stronger
bilateral focus.
The bilateral discussions that were attended by Cabinet
ministers from both countries and senior Government officials were aimed at
exploring ways to enhance cooperation in various sectors to increase trade,
which is at US$10 million.
Briefing journalists after a two-hour long meeting at State
House, Dr Magufuli said it was high time Zimbabwe and Tanzania transformed
their relations from political to economic cooperation.
“I really enjoyed staying here in Zimbabwe and I think that
the cooperation and bilateral relations will continue. I just came here to
cement it. So I can say that I am acting like a catalyst and you know the work
of a catalyst, it is to speed up the reaction even if it does not take part in
the chemical change,” said President Magufuli who had earlier on given his
brief in Swahili.
“So I can assure you this good relationship and bilateral
relations between the two countries will continue to exist and we have agreed
on several issues on trade, tourism, infrastructure, Swahili language, just to
mention a few.
“I have seen some progress as far as development is
concerned. Yesterday I was saying that the developments in Zimbabwe have
improved. It is now almost 3,2 percent to 3,5 percent growth rate and it is my
hope that by next year it will go up to around 5 percent. So I am wishing you
well my brother. It is up to the people of Zimbabwe to give him support so that
he reaches the best direction. The beginning is always a problem but I can
assure you that with Emmerson you are heading in the best direction.”
He said Tanzania’s economy was equally doing well in terms
of the inflation and growth rates.
“We are trading well and we think that due to the fact that
the cooperation and relationship between Tanzania and Zimbabwe it is my hope
that even trade is going to increase. Before that the trade between Tanzania
and Zimbabwe was around US$10 million per year and employment opportunities
were less than 2 000 people, so we think that this is supposed to be changed,”
he said.
Asked if he felt that his call for the removal of illegal
sanctions by Western countries would be heard, Dr Magufuli said there was need
for a different approach such as engagement.
“To be heard or not to be heard but I have said it. So it
is up to them but I have tried my level best because Zimbabwe needs to move as
far as economic development is concerned, so it cannot move with those
sanctions. The time has come to decide on a different way so that instead of
punishing poor people of Zimbabwe we could just use another method, maybe
engagement and solving the problems together. I am sure they have heard because
you are there, you will make them hear,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the economy had registered some
positive growth on the back of mining, agriculture and tourism but illegal
sanctions continued to weigh down industrial growth.
“Our economy has greatly been affected by sanctions, it is
now 18 years. However under the current dispensation we have said sanctions or
no sanctions, we must focus on developing our economy. We must use our own
domestic resources to develop, modernise and industrialise our economy. The
other sector like manufacturing are constrained by the fact that we have to
retool.
“After 18 years of sanctions most of our factories now have
obsolete equipment it is necessary that we catch up with modern practices in
that sector in order for us to be competitive in the global market,” said
President Mnangagwa.
There were lighter moments when President Mnangagwa
translated what President Magufuli had said in Swahili.
“The President is saying Tanzania during the last season
had up to 16 million tonnes of grain but the consumption is about 13 million
tonnes, so there is a surplus. He understood that Zimbabwe has a deficit of
around 700 000 tonnes so they have a feeling that they should assist Zimbabwe
since they have that surplus,” said President Mnangagwa.
Dr Magufuli heads home today. Herald
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