By Taurai Mazwi
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo has described the just ended Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD7) a success.
Speaking to the media whilst giving a summary of the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD7), Minister Moyo said: “This has been a very successful TICAD7 process. The various activities which have characterised this whole conference are symbolic to the re-engagement efforts which Zimbabwe has been pursuing as it interacts with the rest of the international community.
“The whole issue is about commercial diplomacy which entails primarily two issues, that is, international trade and inwards and reverse investments. These are the major issues which were being discussed.”
The Minister highlighted the three pillars which the TICAD discussed, the first one being efficient and quick transformation of economies through the use of people, skills, technology and innovation. He said within this framework, the issues of business dialogue and interaction between Governments and the private sector was emphasised.
On the second pillar, the Minister said it was on strengthening the institutions and society as a basis for development. Within this context, he said the issue of strengthening institutions should provide confidence to the investment community and to the rest of the international community, looking at the issues of ease of doing business and above all the issue of health care.
The third pillar he mentioned was on peace and security which he said is embedded within the context that for any development and economic cooperation to take place, there must be peace and security within Africa.
“Zimbabwe was commended for being a very peaceful country which is attractive to many investors,” he said.
The trip to Japan saw Zimbabwe signing a number of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with several Japanese organisations. It saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa meeting Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representatives, World Food Programme (WFP) representatives, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General Houlin Zhao and many others.
