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Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
BRITAIN Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Catriona Laing has said Zimbabwe is safe and commended the good hospitality that she has received since her deployment in July last year.

The British envoy told Chronicle yesterday that she was happy to be in Zimbabwe and felt very safe.

“Zimbabwe is a wonderful country and it’s absolutely safe. I can jog at night and I can go wherever I want anytime without any problems. I’m happy to be here and I feel very safe,” said Laing after a tour of the Bulawayo Home Industries in Mzilikazi, where her predecessor Deborah Bronnet donated machinery and material worth US$10,600 last year.

“The people here are welcoming and I’m really delighted to be working with the people in Zimbabwe,” she added.

Last month, Zimbabwe was endorsed as one of the world’s 52 places to visit in 2015 by the New York Times.

In the New York Times, Zimbabwe is one of only four African countries that were listed and was ranked as the 14th best destination and in Africa it was only behind South Africa’s Durban.

At the Bulawayo Home Industries, the envoy commended the women who benefited from the British donation, saying she was happy that the project had gone a long way in supporting families in Bulawayo.

“I’m pleased to see results after the donation by the British Embassy last year. Such projects are important in our communities as they support the vulnerable families and uplift women. I’m impressed by the fantastic innovation,” said Laing.

“It’s commendable that the products that are made here are sold and exhibited in various parts of the world. I saw some at the Art Gallery and I’ve also seen others at an exhibition in Britain. I’m really proud.”

She said although she could not give a firm commitment on rendering more support to the institution and others, she was committed to the upliftment of different projects and the livelihoods of the ordinary Zimbabweans.

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Gift Banda expressed gratitude to Laing, saying the support had changed the lives of many in the community.

He said following the British Embassy donation, the quality of products had improved, with most of them being displayed at the City of Bulawayo and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).

In October last year, Bulawayo Home Industries sent craft products to EThekwini Exhibition (Durban) South Africa and also participated at the National Art Gallery Exhibition, which was held at the same time in Harare.

Last month, the Bulawayo Home Industries participated at an exhibition at the Art Gallery in Bulawayo and some of the products were selected for an exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany.

“We appreciate the assistance that we received from the British Embassy and we’re happy with the benefits that this project has brought to the people of Bulawayo. We hope the assistance will continue in the near future as we try to diversify and increase the market for the goods that are manufactured here,” said Clr Banda.