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Harare Bureau

THE country’s diplomats have an important role to play in turning around the country’s economic fortunes that have not been spared the negative effects brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Frederick Shava said yesterday.

Ambassadors and senior management in his ministry are meeting in Bulawayo on a five-day retreat under the theme: “Retooling Zimbabwe’s Diplomacy for Accelerated Economic Transformation: through Re-Affirmation, Engagement and Re-Engagement.”

“We now live in an era of disruptions. The Covid-19 pandemic greatly impacted and changed our lives. The Russia-Ukraine war has further aggravated the disruption, in the process changing the global order as we know it,” said the minister.

“Our Government has the mandate and obligation to find means and ways to circumvent the current global challenges that negatively impact on our economy. 

“Diplomats are a key cog in this endeavour. Remember, we have a key and unique role to play in fulfilling the national Vision, a vision for which we are accountable to our people who are all keen to witness the achievement of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030 through our National Development Strategy 1.”

He challenged the diplomats to determine and refine viable strategies and options that the country’s missions can use to deepen engagements with host governments and the private sectors. 

Minister Shava said the country’s re-engagement policy had largely bore fruit as Zimbabwe’s visibility on the international stage was at its highest than what it has been in more than two decades.

Diplomats should continue to draw inspiration from the heights which Zimbabwe has scaled in the last five years under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.

“In the same period, and more so over the last year, we have recorded impressive successes in placing Zimbabweans in international organisations. This not only highlights the reacceptance of Zimbabwe among the community of nations, but also the recognition of Zimbabwe as a country with a high calibre of human capital,” Minister Shava said.

Chief Fortune Charumbira was in July elected as President of the Pan African Parliament while Mr Cosmas Zavazava was recently elected as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union.

He urged diplomats to promote the country’s candidature for a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2027.

Minister Shava thanked countries that have stood in solidarity with Zimbabwe in its fight against illegal sanctions imposed by the West.

“We are forever grateful to SADC, the AU and individual friendly countries across the world who have piled pressure on the West to remove sanctions on our country,” he said. 

On next year’s harmonised elections he said, the Ministry must be prepared to counter whatever machinations that come with the voting.

“It is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to once again to show the world that democracy thrives here. However, for the world to comprehend and accept these and other good developments emanating from Zimbabwe, we, ambassadors of the country, bear the responsibility to share positive narratives about our country.

“Now more than ever, we need to speak with one voice over the coming election. I cannot overemphasise the important responsibility we have of maintaining the positive image of the country,” Minister Shava said.

Zimbabwe had made great strides in terms of trade inflows with exports so far standing at US$3 3 billion which is a 31 percent increase compared to US$2,52 billion recorded in the same period last year.

“Let us strive to increase our exports to non-traditional and untapped markets. We have made great inroads into the Middle East market, specifically in the UAE, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. We need to continue searching for new markets for our goods and scout for more investors for our economy,” he said.

“As Zimbabwean diplomats, you are expected to become “marketers” for your country. Zimbabwe has to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area whose implementation has been put in motion. 

“To understand the nature of markets, diplomats should experience first-hand their country of assignment.

In all your interactions, never lose sight of the fact that the Second Republic is skewed in favour of economic and transactional diplomacy. We remain driven by our motto “a friend to all and an enemy to none” that was designed to ensure that the country reaps maximum economic benefits whenever and wherever it is convenient.”

Minister Shava urged the ambassadors and consuls general to continue to explain government programmes, policies and priorities abroad, be it to the host government and other non-state actors such as potential investors including Zimbabwean diaspora.

“As our ambassadors, your primary target of investors should also be Zimbabweans domiciled in your countries of assignment. Zimbabwe’s diaspora is a force to reckon with as evidenced by the increased remittances that totalled more than US$1,6 billion in 2020,” he said.

“Inform them about the business opportunities back home and encourage them to invest. 

“His Excellency the President has opened several investment opportunities for Zimbabweans, be it financial investments and or skills investments, and these opportunities should be taken up and used for the economic growth of our great nation.”

He said the President’s guiding aphorism in national development was that ‘Nyika inovakwa neVene Vayo” as seen in the various infrastructure developments taking place in the country. 

“We are doing that without any international support. It all begins with each and every one of us. While some are on the front line, directly building the country, brick by brick, and stone by stone, let’s provide all the necessary support through securing the investments for local industry and markets for our produce,” Minister Shava said.