President Mnangagwa last night left for the Tokyo International Cooperation on African Development (TICAD) Summit where he said he will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Naruhito to call for increased cooperation and support.
The Head of State and Government said the engagement sought to deepen cooperation, building on existing cordial relations which have seen Japan providing humanitarian assistance and human resources development.
The President was seen off at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Kembo Mohadi and Ministers Owen Ncube (State Security), Cain Mathema (Home Affairs and Culture), Oliver Chidawu (Harare Metropolitan Province), Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, senior Government officials and service chiefs.
He is accompanied by senior officials from the administration.
In an earlier address at the ground-breaking ceremony for the improvement of a 6,5-kilometre stretch along Makuti-Chirundu Road, commonly known as Wafa-Wafa owing to its steep gradient and sharp curves, President Mnangagwa said his mission was to request Japan to help fund the remaining 14,5 kilometres.
“I would like to thank the Japanese government for the support on the 6,5-kilometre stretch. That is a bad part of the Harare-Chirundu Road.
“Later this evening (yesterday), I will depart for Japan where I will meet Prime Minister Abe and the Emperor (Naruhito) the day after tomorrow (Wednesday) and ask them to help construct the road from here (Mana Pools turn-off) to Makuti covering the whole 21 kilometres as they have done before in other projects,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President expressed optimism that Japan would accede to his request and the launch of the project coincided with the opening of TICAD today.
He expressed optimism more
Japanese companies will invest in the country.
“I will be leading a delegation to Japan to attend the Summit and we are optimistic that our participation in the Summit will result in more Japanese companies investing in Zimbabwe.
“We are eagerly keen to see more mutually beneficial economic projects between Japan and Zimbabwe. In this regard, I am aware of Japan’s strong competency around science, technology and innovation.
“My Government has embarked on massive construction of innovation hubs within our institutions of higher learning in our ambitious drive to leapfrog our development,” he said.State media
