Look East policy doubted by locals

While Zanu PF apologists claim that the lock East policy adopted by the President Robert Mugabe government is the only solution to the economic challenges bedeviling the country in the advent of economic sanctions imposed by the west, sections of the Zimbabwean society have rubbished the policy saying they have heard about it for so long yet it appears it is not bringing any food on the table for locals.

Foriegn Affairs minister Simbaarashe Mumbengegw was qouted in the media as saying the Asia-Africa Summit attended by Mugabe in Indonisia vindicates the Look East Policy adopted by Government at the turn of the millennium.

Mumbengegwi is qouted as saying the summit has seen Zimbabwe strengthening relations with the Asian bloc.

The summit is being held under the theme "Advancing South-South Co-operation".

Minister Mumbengegwi said, other countries in Africa, Europe and the United States had followed suit, vindicating President Mugabe's vision in recognising the importance of the eastern hemisphere in economic and geopolitical terms.

"The Look East Policy is an important pillar of our foreign policy. As you will recall, our President Cde RG Mugabe was probably the first to enunciate the idea, the importance of the East by pronouncing the Look East Policy. Now it has become a popular phrase where the whole of Africa, the whole of Europe, the whole of America, are now all looking East following the pronouncement of His Excellency, the President.

"So naturally, a forum such as this one where Africa and Asia are meeting in order to work together and co-operate politically and economically is really a resounding vindication of the correctness and foresight of the President who many, many years ago enunciated the Look East Policy and now is being vindicated by this formal partnership between Africa and the countries of the East,'' Minister Mumbengegwi said.

The Look East Policy has since paid dividends for Zimbabwe, manifesting in nine mega infrastructure deals worth billions of dollars signed during President Mugabe's 13th State visit to China in August last year to revamp infrastructure in line with Government's five-year economic blueprint, Zim-Asset that identifies infrastructure development as a key enabler of economic growth.

Trade between Zimbabwe and China has also grown in leaps and bounds totalling $1.1 billion for 2014.

China, along with Russia, have also been instrumental in thwarting attempts by the Anglo-Saxon alliance of Britain and the United States that sought to abuse the UN system to facilitate a military invasion of Zimbabwe.

But Revesayi Mutede Makubalo asked as to what look East Policy Mumbengegwi was referring to when that East is trading big time with the west?

Francis Ncube said the look East policy was just a lousy joke with nothing to show from this policy,but looting of natural resources.

Tete Manyati said its been long since I heard this word "Look East Policy". Ndakapedzisira 2007 Jane Bengura said, "I love the concept but the insight of the whole issue was to drive job opportunities to China where there is cheap labour. The recession hit hard on the economies which dived into this policy . Raw materials like beans , tomatoes and other goods were shipped to China and came back in tinned containers written 'made in China'. The caricature of this was lose of jobs , industries and investment."

Togara Dziro said Nine mega deals worth billions of dollars were signed last year. Trade between Zimbabwe and China is now $1.1 billion and you still ask what do we have to show for this Look East Policy really?