BILATERAL trade between Zimbabwe and China has increased by 12,7% to $1,24 billion as compared to $1,1 billion in 2013, a Chinese government official revealed yesterday.
BY TARISAI MANDIZHA
Speaking during the handover of 5 400 tonnes of rice donated by the Chinese government in Harare, charge d’affaires at the Chinese Embassy Cui Chun said: “In 2014, our bilateral trade rose to $1,24 billion , growing 12,7%. Our bilateral trade is in Zimbabwe’s favour as Zimbabwe’s exports to China is $840 million and its import from China is $400 million.”
“The above mentioned successes cannot be achieved without the deep political trust and close political ties between our two countries, which could be dated back to the liberation struggles of Zimbabwe. Currently we have enjoyed frequently high level exchanges, such as the state visit of President Mugabe to China last year and the visit by Chinese State Council Yang Jiechi to Zimbabwe last month,” Chun said.
He said in the past three years, China’s official assistance to Zimbabwe had reached $100 million.
He added that China was helping Zimbabwe on the expansion of the Kariba South Hydro Power Station which is envisaged to generate an additional 300 megawatts, the expansion of Victoria Falls Airport to promote the local tourism sector and construction of the agriculture technology demonstration centre in Zimbabwe.
He said China had also provided farming machinery and fertilisers worth $80 million.
“Now, Zimbabwe is one of the largest recipients of Chinese aid in Africa. China has provided over $1,5 billion worth of concessionary and commercial loans to Zimbabwe in recent years,” he said. “In terms of trade, China is now one of the most important trade partners of Zimbabwe.”
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Speaking at the same event, Public Service, Labour and Social Affairs minister Priscah Mupfumira said during the last official State visit by President Robert Mugabe to China, the Asian country donated 5 400 tonnes of rice to the people of Zimbabwe.
“We are gathered here to celebrate the generosity expressed by the government of China. This is a gesture showing true friendship between China and Zimbabwe,” Mupfumira said.
“The government of Zimbabwe is indeed grateful for your donation and this will go a long way in alleviating food shortages amongst vulnerable communities.”
She said the donation will be distributed to registered institutions accommodating vulnerable children, older persons and people with disabilities and prisons.
She added that it was the State’s responsibility through the Social Welfare Assistance Act to ensure that the vulnerable and ultra-poor households receive social protection services and possibly devise mechanism that prevent them from plunging back into poverty.
Mupfumira handed over some of the donations to Harare Childrens home, Bumhudzo Old People’s Home and also donated 100 tonnes of rice to Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services.
