Chinese eye methane gas reserves in Lupane

ping the country’s vast timber and methane gas resources in Lupane in addition to exploring opportunities in the tourism sector, which has been in decline since 2000.  Methane gas reserves were discovered in Lupane about seven years ago but have not been exploited due to the country’s crippling six-year old economic crisis.

The eight-man Chinese delegation was accompanied during the tour by Matabeleland North Governor Sithokozile Mathuthu and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Maurice Sakabuya.

“The Chinese and Zimbabwe governments enjoy good relations and the visit by the Chinese was to cement their relations while they were also exploring business ventures with us and we will continue to do that with countries that support us,” Mathuthu said when asked for comment on the Chinese visit.

The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change party often accuses Mugabe of mortgaging the country to the Chinese under his “Look East” he adopted after falling out with the West over his government’s failure to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The Chinese have literally taken over most shops in the capital Harare where they sell cheaply priced and low quality goods imported from the Asian economic giant. Local economic experts have warned that cheap goods from China could force many of Zimbabwe’s already struggling industries, particularly in the textiles sector, to fold. – ZimOnline