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Togolese President urges Zimbabweans to remain resilient
29 Apr 2016 at 17:22hrs | Views
Togolese President Faure Gnassinbe has urged Zimbabweans to remain resilient in the face of western imposed economic sanctions, saying his country has also been through that phase.
Officially opening the 57th edition of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) at the ZITF grounds in Bulawayo today, President Gnassinbe said Zimbabwe and Africa at large should work hard to improve the livelihoods of its people through prioritising innovation and integration, which can be mightier weapons against western sanctions and sabotage.
"Togo has been through such difficult times, but we can say to Zimbabwe is that don't lose hope in the quest to develop your economy," said President Gnassinbe in English at the climax of his address, which was predominantly in French.
"This year once again, the ZITF did not depart from its reputation of quality which is testified by the presence of a number of international exhibitors. There is need for innovation through research, investing in technology, education, prioritising public private partnerships (PPPs) and through funding agricultural activities in rural areas to reduce poverty and uplift the livelihoods of all African people," added President Gnassinbe.
He also called for African states to invest in value addition and increase trade among themselves.
"Integration is a dream that Africa has dreamt of since the beginning of independence of the continent. We inherited Africa with artificial boundaries which hindered integration. In West Africa for instance, there is a railway line linking Dakar (Senegal) and Lagos (Nigeria), so African states should learn from such a development to increase integration and linkages," he said.
After officially opening the fair, President Gnassinbe presented awards to outstanding exhibitors at the fair.
Earlier on, President Gnassinbe and his counterpart, President Robert Mugabe toured various stands at the trade fair, where corporates were showcasing various wares.
A total of 19 countries including Russia, Botswana, Cyprus, China, Ethiopia Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Poland, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia are taking part in this year's ZITF.
Officially opening the 57th edition of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) at the ZITF grounds in Bulawayo today, President Gnassinbe said Zimbabwe and Africa at large should work hard to improve the livelihoods of its people through prioritising innovation and integration, which can be mightier weapons against western sanctions and sabotage.
"Togo has been through such difficult times, but we can say to Zimbabwe is that don't lose hope in the quest to develop your economy," said President Gnassinbe in English at the climax of his address, which was predominantly in French.
"This year once again, the ZITF did not depart from its reputation of quality which is testified by the presence of a number of international exhibitors. There is need for innovation through research, investing in technology, education, prioritising public private partnerships (PPPs) and through funding agricultural activities in rural areas to reduce poverty and uplift the livelihoods of all African people," added President Gnassinbe.
"Integration is a dream that Africa has dreamt of since the beginning of independence of the continent. We inherited Africa with artificial boundaries which hindered integration. In West Africa for instance, there is a railway line linking Dakar (Senegal) and Lagos (Nigeria), so African states should learn from such a development to increase integration and linkages," he said.
After officially opening the fair, President Gnassinbe presented awards to outstanding exhibitors at the fair.
Earlier on, President Gnassinbe and his counterpart, President Robert Mugabe toured various stands at the trade fair, where corporates were showcasing various wares.
A total of 19 countries including Russia, Botswana, Cyprus, China, Ethiopia Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Poland, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia are taking part in this year's ZITF.
Source - ZBC
