Mnangagwa's trip to Angola, critical and strategic

It is ideal to have more and more trips which can benefit our nation. If you remember there were some controversy surrounding the nature of power transfer, so this can be an opportunity for the President to go and explain the position of our country. Whilst he is engaging the Head of State of Angola, there is need for such an initiative to have business community, policy makers to accompany him for such occasions, so that they can also have some business discussions with their counter parts in Angola. What President Mnangagwa is doing is very strategic given the node that in the past, Mugabe never went to those crucial meetings, except those world forums where he used to attack strong super powers. ED is making crucial decisions for the economy and I think he is a very strategic person and within a limited space of time we can see positive results for our country. World Economic Forum is a very important and key forum which can be used to lure investors and discuss key strategic areas of governance and leadership. I hope next time when the President travels to business meetings of that nature he can go with him, policy makers, business community and other key personnel who will also help in other areas of Governance. The president is making some key strategic decisions but I think he also needs some ideas as the whole nation faces a critical moment.

The Economic Outlook

The economy is not looking good. As we speak we have a serious crisis of fuel, cash shortages and other areas of concern such as price hike. So it is important also to make consultations in such areas with those in line of industry. I was of the idea that since we have problems at town house I was of the opinion that he should have travelled with the mayor of Harare and one or two councilors, and then at the same time he should have picked some few delegates from the business community. Business community knows exactly what is on the ground; they know what the general people are facing. It would also help them to have discussions with other key business personnel in Angola. Ideas should not be limited to Government officials only but the President must reach out to young people, business community, policy makers and other key personnel for positive growth of our country. Our production levels are not good, queues in banks, companies are closing and these areas need attention and strategic responds. The issue of the economy is apolitical and it affects everyone despite political affiliation, so I was of the opinion that all stakeholders, policy makers, business community, academics, researchers come together and bring strategic measures that can resuscitate the economy.

Foreign Policy

Whether we like it or not we have neighbours so it is important for the President to take into account our foreign debts, mega deals signed before and external debts. This will help us to come up with a new foreign policy for our country. Whether you want it, like it or not you have neighborhood. And foreign policy is about keeping good, healthy relations with neighbours. The scope is expanded as everyone is our neighborhood now. Foreign policy is country's orientation towards other countries and group of countries. It includes vast array of subjects ranging from language, culture to technology. Diplomatic relations are always aimed at maintaining good and positive relationship. Foreign policy never aims at negative relationship. Sometimes it's situational call to have negative relations.

Foreign policy is very crucial in development of nation. The domestic needs can be met through other countries. Being self-sufficient is just a concept. No country can ever become self-reliable and self-sufficient. Resources are spread over the globe. These resources can be utilized only through efficient policies. Let's discuss some examples; USA is biggest consumer economy of the world; whereas China is biggest manufacturer. In this way, two largest economies are interdependent. In same way at regional level all countries are interdependent. India relies for cotton, palm oil, onion on neighborhood.

Foreign policy includes orientation towards global governance. How the global resources expected to be utilized collectively, to ensure global development as well as national development. In this context, there is pressing demand to reform united nations organization structure.

On other hand, global problems like Global warming, Poverty, women empowerment, violence demands global coordination. The new era in foreign policy is about coordinating all countries. This demands skillful policy and rules. Foreign policy is inclusive. In recent past, there were debates about global monetary governance. This aspect is relatively not focused in era of globalization, which led to inequality of accessibility to resources.

Multinational corporations which forms a third of world GDP cannot be outside the ambit of foreign policy. Multi-national companies affect foreign policy as never before. Multi-national companies play crucial role in utilizing global resources. But in that context, Multi-national companies are not regulated holistically. That is why Multi-national companies tend to utilize laws in various nations to draw their value chains. Foreign policy is important to protect national resources and utilize it effectively.

Foreign policy is important to achieve national goals. Global issues can be solved only through multilateral coordination, arrangements and groupings. Foreign policy in coming years likely to include space research, Biotechnology, Technology for better human welfare. We need a clear foreign policy to attract foreign investors. We can have so many trips around the globe, but is of importance that we craft a good foreign policy blue print that can benefit our nation. If you remember very well our country was not properly positioned during Mugabe's reign. It is of importance to improve on foreign policy. We had hostile policies before which were not good for our country, so it is of great importance, to have a policy review on the policy document that covers foreign policy.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of Southern Institute of Policy Analysis and Research – SIPAR TRUST, which is responsible for policy analysis and research. He is also an academic and researcher. He holds a BA, MA from Solusi University, and he also holds a Masters of Development Studies from University of Lusaka, Zambia. He is currently enrolled at University of KwaZulu Natal University in South Africa (PHD in Development Studies). He is also an adviser to many financial and political institutions within and outside Zimbabwe. He can be contacted at southerninstitutepar@gmail.com