News / National
Australia warms up to Zimbabwe
15 Jun 2015 at 09:29hrs | Views
Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday met two Australian Trade Commissioners for Africa to discuss investment opportunities in Zimbabwe as more Western countries express interest in reviving economic co-operation.
Australian senior Trade Commissioner for Africa Mr John Madew and the Trade Commissioner for Southern Africa Mr Patrick Hanlon, were accompanied by Canberra representative in Harare, Ms Suzanne McCourt.
The pair this week held meetings with several players in the private sector amid reports that the Australian Government has lined up a number of investors interested in moving into Zimbabwe.
Speaking after the meeting, Ambassador McCourt said they discussed the business environment in the country, adding that there were several areas where linkages could be established.
"The focus of the meeting was to talk about potential business opportunities in Zimbabwe for Australian business and also to talk about the business climate here," she said.
"I am focusing on constructive engagement that Australia and Zimbabwe can have together in many aspects. We have excellent people to have links and some positive relations, including in sport. These are things that we would like to build on, and we are exploring possible economic and commercial linkages as well."
Relations between the two countries became sour when Zimbabwe embarked on its land reform programme in 2000, with then Australian Prime Minister John Howard's Government banning the country's cricket team from a scheduled tour of the country.
The cricket team made a return last year after 10 years.
Quizzed on how the cooperation would be possible with sanctions in place, Ambassador McCourt said: "I do not agree with the premise of your question.
"Being here and meeting with Government indicates that there is no embargo as you say. I am interested as a diplomat to discuss, understand and communicate with the people of Zimbabwe."
Australia has maintained sanctions on President Mugabe, First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (PVT) Ltd.
Australian senior Trade Commissioner for Africa Mr John Madew and the Trade Commissioner for Southern Africa Mr Patrick Hanlon, were accompanied by Canberra representative in Harare, Ms Suzanne McCourt.
The pair this week held meetings with several players in the private sector amid reports that the Australian Government has lined up a number of investors interested in moving into Zimbabwe.
Speaking after the meeting, Ambassador McCourt said they discussed the business environment in the country, adding that there were several areas where linkages could be established.
"The focus of the meeting was to talk about potential business opportunities in Zimbabwe for Australian business and also to talk about the business climate here," she said.
"I am focusing on constructive engagement that Australia and Zimbabwe can have together in many aspects. We have excellent people to have links and some positive relations, including in sport. These are things that we would like to build on, and we are exploring possible economic and commercial linkages as well."
Relations between the two countries became sour when Zimbabwe embarked on its land reform programme in 2000, with then Australian Prime Minister John Howard's Government banning the country's cricket team from a scheduled tour of the country.
The cricket team made a return last year after 10 years.
Quizzed on how the cooperation would be possible with sanctions in place, Ambassador McCourt said: "I do not agree with the premise of your question.
"Being here and meeting with Government indicates that there is no embargo as you say. I am interested as a diplomat to discuss, understand and communicate with the people of Zimbabwe."
Australia has maintained sanctions on President Mugabe, First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (PVT) Ltd.
Source - The Herald
