daniel chigunwe
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is looking to enhance economic cooperation with Australia, prioritising the revival of direct flights between the two countries, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, said yesterday.
Qantas, Australia’s flagship airline, previously operated in Zimbabwe until it ceased flights in March 1998.
Speaking at the Australia National Day celebrations in Harare, Prof Murwira expressed his hope for the airline’s return.
“We are looking forward to more cooperation, including improving our transport networks and systems.
“I am aware that Qantas used to come to Zimbabwe (and) I would like to see it back in Zimbabwe, so reviving the airline business between Zimbabwe and Australia must be our business.”
Prof Murwira also highlighted the importance of agricultural collaboration, especially in light of climate change challenges.
“We applaud the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and International Crops Research Institute for the semi-arid projects for collaborating in agriculture with the aim of enhancing climate resilience on Zimbabwean farms by improving access to small-scale mechanisation,” he said.
Prof Murwira also acknowledged the support from the Australian Embassy, which has facilitated funding for many projects and scholarships for Zimbabweans to study in Australia. On her part, Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Minoli Tehani Perera noted the significance of mutual understanding in the relationship between the two countries.
“While Zimbabwe and Australia have not always agreed, our relationship has always been underpinned by the initial sense of mateship and working together.
“Mateship with the people of Zimbabwe means having the hard conversations with a focus always on constructive engagement,” she said.
Amb Perera spoke about the need for combined efforts to tackle climate change.
“We face a climate changing faster than our combined efforts to stop it. Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world.
“Climate change is presenting new and growing challenges. It is stressing our traditional ways of operating.
“It brings real risk to our economic prosperity and forces us to be more innovative; it is a challenge we share with Zimbabwe, but beyond the challenges, we can also share in the solution,” she said.
Amb Perera also commended Zimbabwe for abolishing the death penalty, saying the development “is a truly historic achievement and it’s evidence that meaningful progress can be made for the good of all”.
