China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre

On 13 December, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding attended the launch ceremony of Goromonzi community development programme in Mashonaland East Province, joined by Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon. Apollonia Munzverengwi, Advisor of UN in Zimbabwe Mr Sirak Gebrehiwot and over 200 residents from the local communities. Amb. Zhou congratulated Huayou Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe on implementing the program jointly with other Chinese companies and the United Nations Global Compact under the Sino-Africa Corporate Community Action Network on Sustainable Development. The program, involving power accessibility, health care, vocational training, women empowerment etc, is the Chinese company’s new initiative to fulfill the corporate social responsibilities, benefit local people, and enhance friendship between the two countries. He commended the Chinese companies efforts in adopting principles of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). Hon. Minister Munzverengwi expressed gratitude to the contributions to the local economic and social development made by Chinese companies such as Huayou Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, and highlighted that this program would further improve the livelihood of local communities and promote employment and economic growth in the province and the nation at large.

Amb. Zhou Ding attended the 2024 China-Zimbabwe Business Forum and delivered a speech on November 20, joined by Minister of State for Mashonaland West Hon. Marian Chombo, Minister of State for Mashonaland East Hon. Aplonia Munzverengwi, and Deputy Minister of Energy Hon. Yeukai Simbanegavi. Officials and business communities of both sides also held panel discussions on trade, investment and tourism and organized B2B matchmaking at the Forum.

Congratulations to the successful visit of Zimbabwe’s delegation to the 7th China International Import Expo #CIIE2024 from 5 to 10 Nov. During the trip, Hon. Owen Ncube, the head of the delegation and Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, addressed the Zimbabwe Day at Zimbabwe’s Country Exhibition, delivered a speech at the International Trade and Economic Globalization Forum and visited several companies engaged with Zimbabwe. CIIE serves as an international platform for Zimbabwe to promote its featured products and demonstrate its national image. 11 Zimbabwean companies exhibited their products at the Expo. During the last 5 years, economic cooperation between the two countries has surged, and the exports of Zimbabwe to China have increased at an annualized significant rate, especially the agricultural products including citrus, macadamia and leather products. Zimbabwe will export avocados to the lucrative Chinese market following the signing of a new agricultural protocol between the two counties in September 2024.

The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai on 5th November. Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony, pledging to further expand opening up and turn China's vast market into great opportunities for the world, and firmly uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trade system and support developing countries in better sharing in the dividends of globalization. The Expo has attracted about 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions, and sets a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event. Over 400 new products, new technologies and new services are set to be unveiled. Following last year’s successful exhibition, Zimbabwe continues to set up a Country Exhibition at #CIIE2024, which is all about expanding business opportunities.