Zimbabwe will explore ways of boosting its exports to China at the inaugurall China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which is scheduled for 27-29 June.
The forum was proposed in the discussions at the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and is aimed at establishing a new mechanism for economic and trade cooperation between China and African countries.
53 African countries have confirmed attending the expo which will be held in Changsha, the capital of China’s central Hunan province. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the World Food Programme and the World Trade Organization will also attend.
Speaking ahead of the Expo, James Manzou, permanent secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, told Xinhua that his country would seek to forge strong economic and trade ties with China, particularly anchored on its vast potential in the agriculture, mining and tourism sector, the mainstay of the country’s economy.
He particularly singled out agriculture as a viable platform for cooperation that would benefit both sides.
“We have agricultural products that China can grow here because we have a beautiful climate which is very good for agriculture,” he said.
China has been the biggest buyer of Zimbabwe’s tobacco for many years, and has also been a major funder of the crop’s production through contract farming.
The minister also noted that Zimbabwe was already cooperating with China on mining, but was open to booting tourism relations in order to attract more Chinese into the country.
“There are a number of Chinese companies already operating in our mining sector but tourism is also a low hanging fruit as you saw with the recent visit of Chinese tourists that came to Zimbabwe,” Manzou said.
Elsewhere, Zimbabwe’s National Chamber of Commerce chief executive Takunda Mugaga also hailed the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, saying it was an important forum for Zimbabwe to showcase its trade and economic potential.
“A platform like the expo is important for Zimbabwe in particular, knowing the infrastructure deficit the country is currently facing,” he said.
Hunan will host the forum once every two years, a sign of close relations between the Central Chinese province and Africa.
The 2019 China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will be held under the theme “Win-Win Cooperation for Closer China-Africa Economic and Trade Partnership”
