On his arrival at Surat International Airport, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga emphasized Zimbabwe’s goal of deepening strategic relations with the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce. Surat is globally recognized as a diamond-cutting and polishing hub, exporting over US$5 billion worth of gems each year.
“We are here to explore areas where our economies can collaborate—ranging from diamond processing to agriculture, dairy, and cotton production, sectors in which Gujarat has demonstrated strong capabilities. At the same time, we want to strengthen tourism links, especially as Zimbabwe prepares to co-host the Cricket World Cup with South Africa and Namibia next year,” Chiwenga said.
He further highlighted that Zimbabwe’s new international cricket stadium is nearing completion and will serve as a key venue during the tournament, expected to attract Indian investors and visitors.
Opportunities in Special Economic Zones
Chiwenga also promoted Zimbabwe’s Special Economic Zones as attractive destinations for foreign investment, singling out the Victoria Falls free trade zone as a major draw for both tourism and international business.
The upcoming Chalo Zimbabwe Business Engagement forum, scheduled for this weekend, aims to open avenues for partnerships across manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, and tourism.
At present, Zimbabwe’s exports to India are largely limited to tobacco and minerals, while its imports consist mainly of pharmaceuticals, machinery, and processed goods. Through these new dialogues, the government hopes to broaden trade into dairy, agriculture, and clean energy sectors.
Chiwenga’s Gujarat visit represents a significant step in expanding Zimbabwe’s economic outreach, leveraging opportunities in trade, investment, and cultural cooperation with India.