By Gift Mashoko

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube reinforced the ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa describing the later as an all-weather friend.

Speaking during an interview with eNCA Senior Reporter, Annika Larsen this morning on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Minister Ncube highlighted that South Africa and Zimbabwe enjoy strong relations and the two countries are currently at initial stages of discussions regarding short term credit facilities to Zimbabwe.

“The two countries are talking and we are always talking by the way. We know that we have excellent relations that go back decades, most favoured nation status arrangements, and basically that’s what it is.

“We have a Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the countries. We have relationships between the Central Banks and now we have a very strong relationship between the Ministries. We are talking continuously to see how South Africa can be more supportive of where Zimbabwe wants to move in terms of its economic reform agenda,” he said.

“We are really at the beginning of those discussions. We will see how things evolve on how South Africa can really become a partner in making sure that we can deal with the arears clearance.

“It is not just about South Africa extending resources or whatever, it is about South Africa also giving us the support we need internationally within the Bretton Wood institutions, within the Paris Club family of creditors to Zimbabwe. That extra voice coming from South Africa is needed for us to successfully restructure our debt problem,” he said.

Minister Ncube highlighted that Zimbabwe and South Africa would continue to meet and dialogue whenever they could so as to strengthen their relationship of cooperation and support. He also said that South Africa had full confidence in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean leadership to deal with the issues of violence that transpired during the 14 to 16 January 2019 national shut down as Zimbabwe tries to become an upper middle income country by 2030.

Larsen asked Minister Ncube if South Africa had given or promised Zimbabwe any money. To this, Minister Ncube said South Africa and Zimbabwe were still in dialogue.

“We are in dialogue, we are in discussions. It is not about promising money on the table. We will see how this dialogue evolves, how the discussions evolve, within our excellent corporation over time. It may result in some resources being extended to Zimbabwe and we will gladly welcome those resources from an excellent neighbour like South Africa.

Minister Ncube said that Zimbabwe is grateful for the positive comments given by South African leadership especially on the issue of Zimbabwe`s sanctions, as the two countries continue to enjoy these warm and supportive relations.