Staff Reporter
The recent visit by the Commonwealth assessment team to assess Zimbabwe’s readiness to be readmitted back into the club has been viewed by Zimbabweans as a sign that the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement policies have attracted the attention of global organisations the world over.
A local furniture manufacturer in Glen View, Mike Makoni was ecstatic to these developments and expressed joy over the possible business opportunities that Zimbabwe’s readmission into the Commonwealth could bring for him.
“We welcome this development because readmission into the Commonwealth will reopen market doors that had been shut due to the withdrawal of Zimbabwe from the club some19 years ago.
“For us in the furniture industry, we are currently surviving on small orders from individuals who purchase for their domestic use. We do at times receive big orders from local businesses but not as frequent as we used to before. Surely readmission would be great news for us,” said Makoni.
A local farmer in Dema, Simbarashe Ngarande also expressed optimism at the gains Zimbabwe would benefit from readmission into the Commonwealth.
“This farm used to supply flowers, beef and pork to the Commonwealth countries. Due to the withdrawal from the club, we equally lost resulting in us downsizing our production to just supplying beef and pork locally. I am hoping that we get readmitted back into the Commonwealth as this will create and increase our market opportunities again,” said Ngarande.
The visiting Commonwealth assessment team is here following an invitation extended by the Second Republic, to enable the country’s re-admission into the Commonwealth. Zimbabwe exited the Commonwealth in 2003 following a dispute with Britain over the land Reform and Resettlement issue. The former had embarked in a fast track land reform programme in which it sought to correct the historical and colonial imbalances in land ownership.
The 32 member Commonwealth club also represents approximately 2.4 billion people from both developed and developing nations. Club members tend to trade 20 percent more and generate 10 percent more from FDI inflows for member counties. If admitted, Zimbabwe would benefit from the currently estimated US$ 13 trillion trade between the Commonwealth members.
Meanwhile, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said the four member team which is led by Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General, Professor Luis Franschesci is due to start meeting stakeholders who include President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Government and civil society representatives.
