Harare: China, through its private sector, has expressed interest in rehabilitating the 262km Harare-Mutare highway. Chinese ambassador, Xin Chunkang, said private sector investors from his country were presently conducting feasibility studies on the project which will be part of China's planned contribution to improve the region's trade routes. This will include reconstruction of the 250km Mutare-Beira Road linking Zimbabwe to the Indian Ocean port of Beira.
Chunkang said although the projects were still on the drawing board, revamping of the two roads would be in line with China's full support of the African Union's new thrust of boosting intra-African trade.
"Given the complex and grim picture of the world economy, strengthening economic integration at the regional level will help build up Africa's capacity to resist external risks," said Chungkang, quoting the chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Jia Qinglin.
Since 2003, Chinese investment in Africa's sectors of mining, finance, manufacturing, construction, tourism, agriculture, forestry, animal farming and fishery, among others, has surged from US$490 million to US$14,7 billion last year. Over the years, China's interests in Zimbabwe have grown considerably and last year the Chinese Development Bank expressed interest in investing US$10 billion in the country.
China already has many private companies operating in Zimbabwe including Anjin Investments (Pvt) Limited which has so far invested some US$310 million in Marange at the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
