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(ZIMPAPERS, HERALD) VP Mujuru hails SADC for backing Zimbabwe

VP Mujuru hails SADC for backing Zimbabwe
Sunday, 02 January 2011 14:38 Local News

Vice President Joice Mujuru has hailed Sadc for resolutely backing Zimbabwe in the face of a western onslaught in the past decade.

Addressing guests at a dinner hosted by Zimbabwe´s Ambassador to Brazil Mr Thomas Bvuma here on Friday night, VP Mujuru said Sadc countries had individually and jointly worked tirelessely to bring about the stability Harare now enjoys.

``We are aware that some among you were subjected to tremendous pressure to publicly disown or generally distance yourselves from us. We thank you because you stood by what you rightly knew was right and not necessarily might,`` VP Mujuru told the guests who included ambassadors of Sadc countries accredited to Brazil.

In attendance were Senate President Edna Madzongwe, Acting Foreign Minister Herbert Murerwa, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Kamillius Membe and the ambassadors of Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Barbados.

VP Mujuru gave an account of the situation in Zimbabwe since the formation of the inclusive Government in 2009.

She said the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the west continued to be a worry but the introduction of the use of multiple currencies in January 2009 and the subsequent formation of the inclusive government a month later had brought stability in Zimbabwe on the economic front.

``After years of sustained economic attack through sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, 2010 saw our country register over 7 percent economic growth rate after almost a decade of economic decline. The economic growth was anchored mainly on agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism.

``This has given the average Zimbabwe hope, courage and conviction that we can get out of the cycle of decline that was intended ultimately result in regime change in Zimbabwe,`` said VP Mujuru.

She said the land reform programme, which pushed the west to impose the sanctions on Harare, had largely been completed and work was underway to refine the process and focus was now on increasing productivity on the farms.

To this end, agriculture grew by about 34 percent in the 2009-2010 season driven by tobacco, cotton, maize and small grains.

Tobacco production jumped to 122 million kilogrammes last year from 59 million kg in 2009 while 260 million kg of cotton were harvested compared to 211 million kg in 2009.

Sugar production rose to 350 million kg from 259 million kg while remarkable growth in small grains output was also recorded especially in low rainfall areas where maize does not do well.

The good rains that have fallen so far this season and the resilience of the Zimbabwean people were signs of better prospects in the year ahead, VP Mujuru said.

She said mining registered some growth with gold, platinum and chrome making significant contributions to the good performance of the sector.

The recent discovery of diamonds was expected to add impetus to the growth in mining, which is forecast to rise by over 40 percent.

``This growth is encouraged by both increased demand of our minerals and the improved world market prices of the minerals, significantly influenced by the demand of the products by the BRIC member states (Brazil, Russia, India and China).``

Similarly, tourism registered growth in terms of both tourist arrivals and tourism receipts which increased by about US$200 million.

VP Mujuru said more growth was envisaged in tourism as the world continues to acknowledge the peace and tranquility that characterises Zimbabwe and its people.

``We are determined to succeed, as the political leadership, and we acknowledge the manner in which our neighbours in Sadc continue to stand by us, our challenges over the past decade notwithstanding.``

In a vote of thanks Namibia´s Ambassador to Brazil Mr Lineekela Mboti said the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe were unjustified and should go.

``The sanctions must just be removed and Zimbabwe should be left to pursue the aspirations of its people,`` he said.

VP Mujuru later addressed the families of members of staff at Zimbabwe´s embassy and thanked the spouses for remaining resilient when their husbands or wives were sometimes going without salaries because of the economic difficulties the country was facing.-The Herald

Labels: JOICE MUJURU, SADC, SANCTIONS, TOBACCO

posted by MrK @ 8:05 PM