Mnangagwa creating Zimbabwe's destiny, seeks good fortune

For over two decades, Zimbabwe has literally been in isolation, where the rest of the world was not keen on engaging the country especially on investment matters. No country is an island, especially with globalisation, Zimbabwe has a great need to be satisfied, through engagement, for it to realise economic growth, industrialisation and technological advancement.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, after his inauguration, went on several visits to SADC countries and engaged with other Heads of State, giving assurance on the need for cooperation and coordination with other neighbouring countries, especially considering that Zimbabwe does trade with these States. ED's mantra that "Zimbabwe is open for business" has the potential to assure foreign investors that their investment are safe under his administration.

In the same manner, locals who have migrated to neighbouring countries are given equal assurance to take more interests in investing back home and guarantee the prosperity of our mother nation.

Detractors who have recently been in the habit of criticising reengagements efforts being undertaken by President Mnangagwa should be reminded that with little or no investment, integration and association with various partners, Zimbabwe will remain on its knees with no development to look forward to. Cooperation from developed countries and those already ahead of Zimbabwe in different aspects would contribute immensely towards the future of the country.

The same detractors should look beyond counting the number of times the aeroplane flies in and out but think of the accumulated benefits that come back with the travels. If one were to even count, the notable visits that the Head of State has been on include the visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, AU meeting in Kigali, Rwanda and his recent visit to China and these have a traceable record of the positive outcome that will benefit the country.

After the historic commissioning of the $535 million expansion of the Kariba South Power station by Sino-hydro, a Chinese company, President Mnangagwa proceeded to China for a State visit. China has been Zimbabwe's all time weather friend, where vast investment opportunities have opened up through the cordial relationship that the two countries enjoy.

Critiques should also note that the visits that President Mnangagwa has been on, are worth more, in terms of monetary value, as these have presented opportunities to unlock the investment potential that the President has also been on a drive to propagate to key markets. In any given case, the cost of setting up a business, any business in efforts to realise huge profits or outcomes is always expensive. One cannot expect economic recovery or a country to thrive when it is in isolation from other economic players and does not make efforts to borrow from those countries that have already made strides ahead.

The country is at a time where it has to adopt and borrow ideas from developed and or developing countries as models to use with the intention to set the country on a recovery path. Recently, President Mnangagwa was in Kigali, Rwanda, for the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) where he commended Rwanda for realising a rapid industrialisation growth that Zimbabwe can adopt from.

The idea of special economic zones is also one that was borrowed from China, after realising that the country benefits more by identifying viable economic projects identified in different localities and maximising for best outcomes. Another commendable visit that is bearing fruits has been the re-engagement with Botswana and Zambia over the Kazungula Bridge, a gateway to SADC's North South Corridor, which upon completion will enhance intra-trade in the region and beyond.

President Mnangagwa has made minimal international visits, and unlike his predecessor, there has been a drastic cut on the entourage accompanying the Head of State taking into consideration the financial strain on the fiscus.

At this point, it would be commendable for President Mnangagwa to continue on this reengagement path as positives are already visible on the ground. Ideas and models are borrowed, the same that can be used to develop the country and it is in such a manner that the President is seeking partnership through regional and international integration. The President is creating the country's destiny, knocking on doors that will eventually open to reveal good fortunes being sought after.