ZIMBABWE is poised for economic boom and transformation on
the back of practical measures unveiled by the Second Republic led by President
Mnangagwa to revive the economy, visiting Tanzanian President Dr John Magufuli
has said.
Dr Magufuli said Zimbabwe’s economy had already registered
growth since President Mnangagwa took over and implored the West to remove
illegal sanctions for the country to realise its full potential.
The Tanzanian leader, who is on a two-day official visit,
said this at a banquet held in his honour by President Mnangagwa at State
House.
“Allow me, Your Excellency, to take this opportunity to
commend you and dear brother for the effort you are making to revive the
economy and bring about social economic development and transformation in your
great country.
“Indeed, since you took over the office of the President
Zimbabwe has recorded very important milestones; investment has increased,
while the fiscal deficit has been reduced.
“In this respect, I am particularly pleased to know that
the last economic performance was better than what was expected. I was just
reading some of the information, it grew by 3,5 percent and this year it is
expected to grow by 4,2 percent and next year it is expected to grow by 4,4
percent.
“Of course, you cannot measure the growth physically, and
normally during the transition period people never feel the changes, but I can
assure you, Your Excellency, you are doing the best,” said President Magufuli.
“And, of course, during transformations, especially during
the transition period, some non-believers are always there. I am sure the
message has been sent and delivered.
“I am sure that if this achievement will be sustained and
continued and with the support of the international community Zimbabwe will
soon assume it’s rightful place.”
Dr Magufuli implored the United States and the European
Union (EU) to lift sanctions and called for Western ambassadors accredited to
Zimbabwe to convey the message to their capitals, that the embargo were hurting
ordinary people.
“In this respect I wish to call upon the international
community to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe. Indeed the country has opened a new
chapter and it is ready to engage with the rest of the world. I know I am here
with ambassadors and high commissioners this should be the humble request for
them because, the effect of this embargo is
affecting the poor people, children, women old men of
Zimbabwe but it is also affecting you ambassadors with your families because
you are here in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Dr Magufuli said it was high time to transform the two
countries’ bilateral relations from political to economical and to that end, he
held discussions with President Mnangagwa on how to achieve that.
“I am delighted that this afternoon, President Mnangagwa
and myself held discussions about enhancing further these relations. Among the
things we discussed and agreed to do better in advancing economic relations.
This is because for far too long our relations has been dominated by political
issues with little attention being given to economic matters. Our two countries
have therefore agreed to consolidate our economic cooperation in order to give
practical meaning to our political cooperation. To this end we have agreed to
increase trade and promote investment flow between us. We have also agreed to
share experiences and best practices in the management and utilisation of our natural
resources,” he said.
Earlier on President Mnangagwa said during their
discussions, President Magufuli had advised him that biometric registration was
the best was to deal with the perennial problem of ghost workers.
“I would like to share with you the wisdom I received
tonight from His Excellency. We have here (Public Service Commission
chairperson) Dr (Vincent) Hungwe, here is the advice, we always here about
ghost workers. In Tanzania they fought the issue of ghost workers. They
demanded everybody to go through biometric, so if you are a ghost worker you
cannot come before a camera. And through that 34 000 ghost workers were in the
service and were cleansed out through that method. So Dr Hungwe here is the
advice,” said President Mnangagwa.
He commended Tanzania for being the first country that came
forward to assist Zimbabwe when it was ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March this
year which saw more than 300 people dead, others displaced and a trail of
destruction of property.
Dr Magufuli was welcomed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe
International Airport by President Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi,
several Cabinet Ministers, service chiefs diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe and
senior Government officials.
He was also accompanied by Mr Makongoro Nyerere, son to
Tanzania’s founding president Julius Mwalimu Nyerere.
Soon after arrival, President Magufuli inspected the guard
of honour and later attended dinner at the State House. Herald
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