'Zimbabwe ready to engage international community,' says Mujuru

ZIMBABWE will continue engaging the international community for political, economic and social co-operation, Vice President Joice Mujuru said.

In a speech read on her behalf by the outgoing Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Engineer Walter Mzembi, at a luncheon for United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly heads of delegation in Victoria Falls yesterday, VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe wished to stay a member of the international community.

"As a nation we are now focusing on investing in our economy to generate business, employment and raise the social welfare of our people. Further, Zimbabwe will continue engaging the international community for political, economic and social co-operation.

"We constitute the international community and it is our wish to remain a member of this family," said Vice-President Mujuru.

She said the 20th session of the UNWTO general assembly was going to afford delegates the opportunity to experience the peace, tranquility and warm hospitality that Zimbabwe offers.

"True, we once had our problems, which with the assistance of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, I am glad to say we have managed to resolve successfully," said Vice President Mujuru who is also the patron of the tourism industry.

She added: "On behalf of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the Zimbabwe tourism fraternity and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to express my profound gratitude for your invaluable support up to this moment. We are honoured and humbled by this gesture of co-operation."

Vice-President Mujuru said the opportunity to host the general assembly in Zimbabwe and Zambia after Senegal showed commitment by UNWTO to the development of Africa's tourism.