China will continue supporting Zimbabwe's industrialization, modernization: Chinese envoy
HARARE, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- China remains committed to strengthening solidarity and cooperation to support Zimbabwe in advancing its industrialization and modernization, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said on Friday.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the reception held in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare ahead of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on Oct. 1, Zhou said China will continue to encourage more Chinese investments in Zimbabwe's manufacturing sector to boost value addition in the economy.
With the two countries marking 45 years of diplomatic ties this year, Zhou said China and Zimbabwe have registered huge milestones in bilateral cooperation, noting that Chinese investments have made significant contributions to Zimbabwe's employment creation and socio-economic development over the past decades.
"Chinese companies have been putting in money and developing Zimbabwe's infrastructure, industrial chains, and supply chains," he said. "I would like to see more Chinese companies coming to invest in the country's manufacturing sector."
Noting the huge potential for industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries, Zhou called for more incentives in the Zimbabwean market to attract investments from China and the rest of the world.
"I hope that Zimbabwe can formulate more favorable policies, provide some incentives to encourage companies, not just from China but also from other countries, to invest in the production line building," he said.
The Chinese ambassador said China's recently announced zero-tariff measures covering all taxable products for 53 African countries offered another window of opportunity for China and Zimbabwe to boost trade.
"The potential is still huge, and I really hope that I will be able to work with our Zimbabwean friends to implement this policy as early as possible so that Zimbabwe can benefit from it," Zhou said, adding that the policy is poised to contribute immensely to Zimbabwe's trade, investment, and people's well-being. ■
