
Local analysts have, however, raised eyebrows over the
concessions, saying top government officials could have taken the Dubai route
for personal gain.
Mnangagwa’s government has already dispatched an ambassador
to the UAE to strengthen bilateral relations at a time the Zanu PF leader, who
came into office two years ago, has been globe-trotting on a private jet
ostensibly “donated” to him from the enclave.
Acting Information minister Nqobizithat Mangaliso Ndlovu
confirmed last week that government had approved appointment of Zimbabwe’s
first ambassador to the oil-rich nation.
Ndlovu, who is the country’s Tourism minister, said there
was a plan to build hotel infrastructure in Zimbabwe to specifically cater for
UAE nationals.
“We are planning on hotel infrastructure to cater for their
religion and that is under serious consideration,” he said.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday defended
preferential treatment extended to UAE investors, saying the oil-rich country
was Zimbabwe’s second largest export destination after South Africa, and
deserved such concessions.
“There is walking the talk with the promises and agreements
we had with the United Arab Emirates. When Cyclone Idai struck, remember we
were in the UAE and they came in to assist us. They follow up the processes
and, as we speak, someone from the UAE is already in the country as part of the
advance team. Whether we like it or not, they are the second largest exporter
after South Africa. It is a large trading partner we cannot ignore,” Ncube
said.
Cabinet on Thursday was briefed on Mnangagwa’s visit to the
UAE, where he met the country’s leaders, including the Prime Minister and
Vice-President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Mnangagwa took with him a delegation that included 25
businesspeople.
Relations between Mnangagwa and the UAE have been subject
to scrutiny, especially after reports that the President was using a private
jet he allegedly was hiring at huge cost from Dubai.
Mnangagwa earlier this year sought to explain the story
behind the jet, saying: “I was invited by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh
Mohammed. He hosted us well. You hear people saying I flew with a luxury jet.
Those are lies, they sent us a plane.
“We did not pay anything for that plane. The crown prince
sent the aeroplane to pick us up and we went and it dropped us. I told him we
had a problem with availability of planes, and he said whenever I want to
travel, all I need to do is call.”
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Sifelani
Jabangwe said he was hopeful that such deals would benefit the nation and not
the foreigners and a few local elites.
“What is more important is how these deals will be
structured. They must be structured in a manner that benefits Zimbabweans,” he
said.
“Local content in such deals is key because it will leave
benefits to Zimbabweans. In whatever way they are coming to invest, we hope
they will not be like the Chinese who bring in their labourers and their
equipment.”
Analyst Rashweat Mukundu said there was need for government
to be clear and transparent in such deals, adding that without such, there was
reason to suspect dodgy deals.
“Some of the Middle East countries are not known for doing
business in a transparent manner and these are countries that tend to manage
business deals using underhand methods, moreso, bribing the top leadership and
benefiting in whatever manner,” he said.
“So, my fear is that the coming in of the Arab investors
outside the legal framework of investment in Zimbabwe, outside the publicity of
what is it that they will be doing, the logical conclusion is those deals are
shady and will not necessarily benefit Zimbabwe, but a few of our political
leaders who are in talks with the investors from the United Arab Emirates.
“It is in the interest of the Zimbabwean government that
any business deals be done in the open so that they build confidence in other
potential investors.
“To me, it is a clear indication that our political leaders
are either being corrupted, being naïve or are benefiting at a personal level
and not necessarily looking at investment as a national benefit.” Newsday
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