The Sunday News
Ngonidzashe Chiutsi Business Correspondent
TRADE between Zimbabwe and Australia has gone down in the last two years though there are numerous opportunities in the sectors of mining, tourism, education and agriculture that the two countries can work together to improve trading relations, an official has said. In an interview in Bulawayo last week, Australian ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Matthew Neuhaus challenged local businesses to make use of the Zimbabwe Australia Business Council (ZABC) and make synergies with Australian businesses to revive the local industry.
“The trade between Zimbabwe and Australia is a bit limited. However there are areas where there are opportunities in tourism, mining and education which both countries could explore,” said Mr Neuhaus.
“I would like to see Zimbabwe use Zimbabwe Australia Business Council (ZABC). We have technology in mining and water production and energy. There is a big challenge of energy here and we have provided some assistance and I would like to see more activity in that area.”
ZABC seeks to enhance trade and investment between the two countries by acting as a conduit of business information between business partners in each country.
Established in 1994, ZABC members were drawn from Zimbabwe’s commercial sector and Australian companies operating locally.
Mr Neuhaus said Zimbabwe could revive its industry and export to Australia again.
“Zimbabwe used to sell a lot of shoes that were coming particularly from here, from Bulawayo and it’s sad because you have quality shoes here. Zimbabwe used to sell a lot of cotton to Australia and that has declined,” he said.
Mr Neuhaus called on local businesses to seek partnerships and revive the ailing industry.
“Zimbabwe needs to re-industrialise. The country should find Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for industrialising again. In the short term you need some foreign aid but we should use our African resources to develop. For example Australia is largely developed and did not get aid. Aid can only give you a little bit but will not take you anywhere.”
He said Zimbabwe should resolve its debt issue and be in a position to borrow money from lenders.
“There is a talk about fixing the country’s debt issue because you need to be in a position where you can borrow from the international financial institutions like the World Bank and so forth,” he said.
