Zimbabwe: Msika Hails Cordial Relations With China

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 1 January 2008 01/02/2008

ACTING President Joseph Msika has described China as the country's "all-weather friend" as evidenced by its continued support to Zimbabwe when Western countries have imposed illegal sanctions on Harare. Commissioning 97 trucks procured from China by Road Motor Services in Harare yesterday, Cde Msika said Government's Look East Policy was bearing fruit. RMS is a subsidiary of the National Railways of Zimbabwe. "Today represents yet another milestone in our longstanding cordial relationship with one of our 'all-weather friends', the People's Republic of China," he said. "This, to me, strongly demonstrates our resolve to continue to nurture and foster stronger links with our allies in China. As we should all be aware, the People's Republic of China has always been committed to our fight for independence and they remain steadfast in their support for our efforts to socially and economically emancipate our people." Acting President Msika said the bulk of agricultural equipment received by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in November and distributed under the second phase of the Agricultural Mechanisation Programme were sourced from China. "Allow me to take this opportunity on behalf of the people and the Government of Zimbabwe and indeed on my own behalf, to profoundly thank the people and the Government of the People's Republic of China, for their committed and unwavering support to our nation," he added. Cde Msika noted that China's support comes at a time when Zimbabwe is facing economic challenges precipitated by illegal sanctions imposed by Britain and her allies. As a result of the sanctions, he said, the Government adopted a number of economic development strategies, among them the Look East Policy. Under this policy, Zimbabwe has turned to friendly countries in the Middle East, the Eastern bloc and the Far East for new and advanced technologies and business opportunities in agriculture, commerce, energy, mining, transport and tourism. "I am therefore extremely pleased to note that NRZ and its subsidiary, Road Motor Services, has embraced the Look East Policy in their overall business strategies, hence the delivery of the vehicles before us from China," he said. The vehicles, comprising 68 North Benz tractor trucks (30-tonne capacity), 16 North Benz delivery trucks (30-tonne capacity), eight triaxle tipper trailers (45- tonne capacity) and five fuel tankers (42 000 litres capacity), were procured from a Chinese manufacturer, Camco. The vehicles were procured through an Eximbank of China concessionary loan to replace the old unserviceable RMS fleet and to complement seven trucks received from Camco International in February last year. Acting President Msika said the fleet would be distributed to all the country's provinces where it would operate from RMS depots complementing the bulk transport rail services provided by NRZ. He urged individuals and organisations wishing to transport bulk goods to seriously consider using rail transport as operated by NRZ in tandem with RMS. "Cases that come to mind include, among others, manufacturers for transportation of their raw materials and end products, the farming community for its agricultural inputs and produce, the mining sector for its mineral products and thermal power stations and tobacco farmers for their coal supplies." The NRZ and RMS serve as a one-stop bulk transport service. Customers will have their bulk goods picked up from their point of origin by RMS trucks for loading onto the NRZ rail transport network. At the end of the rail network, RMS trucks take over again to deliver the goods to the intended destination. Customers are charged as if the goods have been transported by rail only, affording users a competitive advantage over those using either road or air. Cde Msika urged RMS to observe a strict maintenance regime for the vehicles so that they play a pivotal role in the economic turnaround programme. He also encouraged the NRZ and RMS to establish synergies with the farming and the business communities, as their support would be critical in the repayment of the loan used in procuring the trucks. "It will be remiss of me if I failed to acknowledge the prudent and efficient conduct of business by the NRZ which has enabled them to operate profitably and to, for the first time in the history of the parastatal, declare a dividend to its shareholders. It is my fervent hope that you will be able to maintain this business culture and that other parastatals will be able to emulate you. Only this way can we reduce dependency on the national fiscus by our parastatals." Enditem