Delivering a speech to mark Bastille Day—the French equivalent of Independence Day—at his residence in Harare, Delahousse said there was need for Zimbabwe to regain international confidence.
“Zimbabwe needs to regain the confidence of its international partners and of the global business community.
“It must correct the negative perception of its name and alleviate the so-called ‘country risk’ that is contributing to stifle its economy,” said the ambassador.
He said it was crucial for Zimbabweans to also have confidence in their country and the economy.
Renewed confidence, he said, was necessary for local companies and farmers to invest, banks to lend money, citizens to start businesses and for the informal sector to contribute to the formal economy.
There must also be confidence in the constitution and the rule of law and a positive attitude “to allow full reconciliation among all Zimbabweans”. “It is that confidence that will unleash the full potential of Zimbabwe’s many assets”, he said.
The assets, Delahousse said, included “a literate, skillful and hard-working people, abundant natural and mineral resources, (a) scandalously good climate and a widespread though deteriorated infrastructure network.”
He said: “France shares this hope for Zimbabwe. My mission as Ambassador in Zimbabwe is to contribute to establish this confidence.”
He hoped that Zimbabwe would manage to establish a business friendly environment that would enable companies to thrive and wished government success in re-engaging the donor community and the private business sector.
Investors have been shunning the country because of policies they consider to be hostile, among them the indigenisation law that compels foreign companies to cede major shareholding to local blacks.
Zimbabwe has also been shunned by donors, who preferred channeling funds to non-State agencies instead of giving support directly to government.
The economy receded fast after the 2013 general elections that Zanu (PF) won controversially, with companies closing down at a high rate, unemployment increasing and government suffering a severe liquidity crunch.
The European Union (EU), which imposed targeted sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his lieutenants in government and Zanu (PF), is set to resume direct co-operation with Zimbabwe on November 1, saying the Harare government has made significant strides in observing good governance and human rights.
Post published in: News
“Zimbabwe needs to regain the confidence of its international partners and of the global business community,†said the Ambassador.
Last time the Ambassador said the exact opposite, that there was business confidence in Zimbabwe. Of course there is no business confidence as the ambassador explained himself.
The renewed confidence was necessary for local companies and farmers to invest, banks to lend money, citizens to start businesses and for the informal sector to contribute to the formal economy. “It is that confidence that will unleash the full potential of Zimbabwe’s many assetsâ€, he said.
Whatever he had eaten or smoked when he gave his Mutare speech – I will not speculate – it did not agree with him and he must never try it again. Never!
We want a health relationship with France where we treat each other with respect and not one where the French flatter our failed leaders and in doing so insult our intelligence!
Joyeux Jour de la Bastille Monsieur l’Ambassadeur!