Chinese delegation seeks business opportunity in Zimbabwe

A 13-member Chinese delegation left Harare on Friday after a three-day visit to this Southern African country to seek possible cooperation in communication and transport sectors.

The head of the delegation and Shaanxi Province governor Yuan Chunqing said on Friday his delegation was also keen to establish cooperation with Zimbabwe in other areas such as tourism, culture and education.

"We have been very impressed with what we have seen in Zimbabwe. The country has a lot of potential and we hope after the discussions we will be able to work together and improve our transport and communication systems," he said.

He was speaking after a meeting with Transport and Communications Minister Christopher Mushowe, which was also attended by heads of various parastatals.

Mushowe said Zimbabwe welcomed cooperation in communication and transport, two areas the government has earmarked for urgent upgrading ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He said dualization of the country's major roads, installation of toll gates, refurbishment and upgrading of airports were some of the infrastructural projects that government wanted to embark on in preparation for the World Cup.

Mushowe expressed gratitude to China for the assistance it has rendered to the country's aviation industry. China recently sold aircraft to Zimbabwe on preferential terms.

"This partnership should promote more economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries," he said.

Meanwhile, Yuan said that plans were at an advanced stage to twin Shaanxi Province with Manicaland Province to promote cooperation between the two provinces.

He said the twinning should further cement cordial relations that exist between the two countries.

"We have had a fruitful chat with the Governor of Manicaland Province and I am very confident the twining of the two provinces will be a huge success," he said.

Source: Xinhua