Zimbabwe signs MoU with China to promote project operations under FOCAC

China and Zimbabwe has ventured into an agreement for accelerated implementation of bilateral cooperation projects between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo (on behalf of Zimbabwe) and Visiting Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming (on behalf of China) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday, May 24. Zimbabwe and China want to promote the joint implementation of economic and trade measures they agreed to under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.

Some of the cooperation agreements covered under the MoU include the upgrading of China-Zimbabwe Friendship Hospital built by China in Mahusekwa, Marondera District in 2012 and the handover certificate of 800,000 cash donation to assist victims of Cyclone Idai. A statement released by the Chinese embassy in Harare after the meeting between Qian and Moyo said the two sides agreed to boost cooperation in various areas, as reported by Xinhua.

"The two sides held friendly and candid talks and reached consensus on jointly implementing the eight major initiatives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit, strengthening infrastructure cooperation, expanding bilateral trade, promoting and protecting bilateral investment and deepening development assistance," the statement read.

Moyo said through its cooperation with China, Zimbabwe wants to implement projects that have immediate tangible benefits to the people and do not constrain the country's debt situation. He added that Zimbabwe wants to expand its financial cooperation with China so that it stabilizes its financial sector currently reeling from foreign currency and cash shortages.

Zimbabwe is keen to strengthen trade and industrial cooperation with China so that it improves its manufacturing capacity and export of value-added goods, he said adding Zimbabwe further wants to have stronger aviation ties with China through the establishment of a direct air link between the two countries, Xinhua noted.

Also Read: Cyclone Idai-victims in Zimbabwe receive 10,000 tonnes of rice from China