Zimbabwe sees BRI as link to global economy, markets: President Mnangagwa

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) offers great opportunities for Zimbabwe, which looks forward to receiving more Chinese investment under the framework of the bloc, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Saturday, ahead of the FOCAC Summit. 

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks during an interview in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sept. 1, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Following the elevation of Zimbabwe-China ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in April, the southern African nation has witnessed accelerated implementation of Chinese-funded national projects in energy, transport and telecommunications in the last four months, Mnangagwa said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Zimbabwe hopes to accelerate infrastructure construction and modernization on the basis of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation, the president said. "We have several projects (that) we have put forward and this time around, we hope we will be able to put bankable projects which meet the criteria for assessment by China."

During the Beijing summit, the attending countries will also discuss cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

"We in Zimbabwe are committed to the BRI and we do not want Zimbabwe to be left behind because we want to get linked to global markets and the global economy," Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe is seeking to learn from China's reform and opening-up policy and see "what characteristics are suitable for our own situation," the president said.

"There is no need to reinvent the wheel when other countries have passed through the same road," he said.

Mnangagwa welcomed Chinese investors and tourists to Zimbabwe, saying his country is blessed with a pleasant climate, abundant mineral resources, high-quality labor and rich tourism resources.

Besides linking China and Africa, Mnangagwa said the FOCAC also provides an opportunity for African leaders to interact and discuss economic cooperation and other issues of mutual concern. Also, it provides opportunities for Africa to accelerate the development of its economies through investment support from China, the president said.

Themed "China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation," the Beijing summit will be held on Sept. 3-4.