by Ashley Kondo

Government is set to establish sector specific development inter-ministerial committees, a senior official has indicated on the side-lines of the just ended Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

Speaking after the Summit today in Beijing, China, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Sibusiso Moyo, expressed satisfaction that all African Heads of States who were in attendance had unanimously adopted the Summit’s two outcome documents namely, the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Declaration and FOCAC Action Plan 2019-2021.

Minister Moyo said “All Heads of States… in fact... were encouraging that, this is the way to go in terms of dealing with globalisation issues and in terms of developmental issues... partnering with countries who understand and have got mutual respect to the African community.”

Minister Moyo highlighted that President Mnangagwa had described the Summit as an expatiation of the broad opportunities for cooperation between Africa and China.   

“The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) said, what President Xi Jinping has said, he even went further to be elaborate and explain the framework within which countries can tap, how they can tap and qualify to get into specific.

“This, now, is going to be helping us as Government, so that we can then create specific inter-ministerial committees which are dedicated to tapping specific areas which have been given”, added Minister Moyo.

Zimbabwe is set to benefit from the $60 billion facility being extended to Africa by the Chinese Government under FOCAC.

The FOCAC Summit came at a time Zimbabwe is making vigorous efforts revive her economy, amid increasing calls for massive economic reforms and transformation.  

This comes at the back of claims that business has been on a standstill since the July 30 polls. 

Resultantly, President Mnangagwa is expected to urgently appoint a new Cabinet anytime henceforth following the swearing in of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe today.