Zimbabwe Seeks to Deepen Economic and Trade Ties with India During VP Chiwenga’s Visit to Gujarat

Zimbabwe is ramping up efforts to enhance trade, tourism, and economic cooperation with India, as Vice President General (Rtd) Dr. Constantino Chiwenga arrived in Surat today ahead of the Chalo Zimbabwe Business Engagement forum.

Speaking upon his arrival at Surat International Airport, Vice President Chiwenga emphasized Zimbabwe’s desire to establish strong strategic ties with the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce—an influential region globally recognized for its diamond cutting and polishing industry, which generates exports exceeding US$5 billion annually.

“We are here to explore areas where our two economies can collaborate, from diamond processing to agriculture, dairy production, and the cotton industry, where Gujarat has well-established capabilities. Additionally, we’re looking to promote tourism ties, especially with Zimbabwe preparing to co-host the Cricket World Cup next year alongside South Africa and Namibia,” said Chiwenga.

He noted that Zimbabwe’s new international cricket stadium is nearing completion and will serve as a key venue for the upcoming tournament—a development anticipated to attract Indian tourists and investors.

Investment Focus: Special Economic Zones and Tourism

Beyond sport and trade, Vice President Chiwenga highlighted the vast investment potential within Zimbabwe’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly the Victoria Falls free trade zone, which the government is positioning as a hub for tourism and international commerce.

The upcoming Chalo Zimbabwe Business Engagement event, scheduled for the weekend, aims to solidify new partnerships across sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.

Currently, Zimbabwe exports tobacco and minerals to India while importing pharmaceuticals, machinery, and processed goods. Through these new engagements, the country hopes to diversify trade by expanding into agriculture, dairy, and renewable energy industries.