Ambassador Delahousse
Tinashe Makichi Business Reporter
Zimbabwe needs to regain the confidence of its international partners and the global business community for the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation programme to be successful, France’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe said.
There have been repeated calls from economic analysts for Government to restore good relations with the international financial community, which would enable the resumption of direct international financing to different entities in the country.
Speaking at an occasion to mark France’s Bastille Day in Harare on Monday, French Ambassador to Zimbabwe Laurent Delahousse said engagement is the catalyst for economic revival for any nation.
“Hope for economic revival has been renewed by the message of engagement presented by the new Government of Zimbabwe and this hope rests on solid foundations of engagement by the same Government,” said Ambassador Delahousse.
He said Zimbabwe should correct the negative perception among international financiers as well as some global partners.
“Zimbabwe must correct the negative perception of its name and alleviate the so-called “country risk” that is a major contributor to the stifled economy. There is need to establish a business-friendly climate that enables companies to thrive,” he said.
The Government after the harmonised elections last year presented an economic blueprint Zim-Asset which seeks to addresses many challenges being faced by the country.
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The European Union has answered Zimbabwe’s call for engagement. On November 1 this year, provided the remaining sanctions on the country are lifted, the EU will resume its direct co-operation with the Government.
Ambassador Delahousse said once the engagement has been facilitated then the European Development Fund will start assisting the implementation of Zim-Asset.
He said funding of Zim-Asset is key for inventive entrepreneurs in the informal sector to bring their contribution to the formal economy and the financing of the nation’s needs through the national budget.
Ambassador Delahousse said Zimbabwe is endowed in vast natural resources but there was need for confidence on the part of its citizens as well.
“Among the necessary drivers for Zimbabwe, is the confidence of all Zimbabweans themselves in their country, their economy, their common destiny. The confidence that citizens not only have rights but duties that contribute to nation building,” he said.
“It is that confidence that will unleash the full potential of Zimbabwe’s available assets.”