International Envoys Reaffirm Support for Zimbabwe’s Development Agenda

Harare, Zimbabwe – Envoys from Italy, Japan, and Egypt have reiterated their commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s national development agenda, which aims to achieve an upper-middle-income society by 2030.

These affirmations were made during separate courtesy calls paid by the respective Ambassadors to Vice President Dr. Kembo Mohadi at his offices in Harare.

Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr. Giuseppe Giacalone, underscored his country’s dedication to strengthening bilateral trade relations with Zimbabwe. Following his meeting with Vice President Mohadi, Ambassador Giacalone stated that discussions focused on enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including investment, infrastructure development, trade, and cultural exchanges.

Ambassador Giacalone also provided an update on Zimbabwe’s participation in the ongoing Venice Biennale Arts Festival, where five local artists are showcasing their work. Furthermore, he highlighted discussions regarding Zimbabwe’s preparations to host the 58th CIMAM Annual Conference, scheduled for November at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

“The discussion with Vice President Mohadi was indeed engaging and productive,” Ambassador Giacalone remarked. “We reflected on the historical friendship and close ties between Italy and Zimbabwe, acknowledging the strong existing relations and the imperative to further fortify them. Our commercial ties are robust and dynamic, yet there is significant potential for growth. My primary objective will be to enhance the bilateral trade relationship between our two nations.”

He further noted that current Italian investments in dam construction, particularly the Tokwe-Mukosi project under the We Build Group, were also part of the comprehensive discussions.

Egyptian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr. Maha Serag Eldin Kamel, also paid a courtesy call on Vice President Mohadi. Ambassador Kamel emphasized that the forthcoming African Union Mid-Year Summit would present a crucial opportunity for Zimbabwe to expand its investment portfolio, as the event is designed to convene African nations to deliberate on business and economic matters. The summit is slated for next month.

Dr. Kamel conveyed Egypt’s renewed commitment to supporting Zimbabwe in its developmental endeavors. Discussions between the Ambassador and the Vice President encompassed cooperation in the health, construction, political, and economic sectors. She highlighted that the bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Egypt have deep historical roots, tracing back to Egypt’s support for Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. The two countries continue to enjoy excellent relations, and the meeting served as a platform to explore additional avenues for cooperation.

Ambassador Kamel announced that Egypt would host the African Union Mid-Year Summit in June, in the coastal city of El Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea. This summit will coincide with the inaugural El Alamein Africa Forum, a business-focused event expected to attract participation from African countries and private sector stakeholders across the continent.

Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr. Nobutaka Maekawa, similarly paid a courtesy call on Vice President Mohadi. Ambassador Maekawa reaffirmed Japan’s ongoing cooperation with Zimbabwe in critical sectors such as agriculture, health, tourism, and mining.

He reported that both nations had agreed to further solidify their relations through the promotion of business cooperation in these key areas. “This was a very constructive discussion,” Mr. Maekawa stated, “Our dialogue centered on the extensive and consistent cooperation we have fostered over the years, as well as exploring further possibilities for collaboration in diverse sectors including agriculture, healthcare, tourism, and mining.”

“Crucially, we concurred on the intensified promotion of business-driven cooperation in major sectors,” he added. “Japan is keen to tangibly and cooperatively strengthen this partnership, optimally combining it with the conventional development assistance that the Japanese government has historically provided.”