Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Walter Muchinguri
1 July 2009
Harare — OLIVINE Industries yesterday received a consignment of 4 000 tonnes of soya bean seed worth US$500 000 that was donated to Government by the Chinese government.
The consignment was handed over to Finance Minister Tendai Biti on behalf of Government by the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Yuan Nansheng, at a ceremony held at Olivine Industries in Willowvale industrial area.
Olivine Industries managing director, Mr Jonas Mushangari said the seed, which was transported in 173,20 tonne containers, was the equivalent of one month's supply of seed to the company.
"We will be able to contribute 500 tonnes of oil to the market. The donation is to Government but we have an obligation to process the seed," he said.
The 500 tonnes of oil constitute about half of the national requirement for seed.
Mr Mushangari said on average the national requirement of oil per month is 1 000 tonnes.
Speaking just before the handover ceremony Mr Nansheng, who leaves Zimbabwe today for a new posting said China regarded Zimbabwe as an all-weather friend hence the donation to help boost oil production in the country.
"I believe that this donation of soya bean will help alleviate shortages that the country has experienced due to droughts that affected several countries in the region," he said.
He added China would continue to aid Zimbabwe in various areas of need as and when required to do so.
In response, Finance Minister Biti said China has been a consistent friend to Zimbabwe for a long time and has stood by the country even in most trying time.
"This donation is a response to an imminent need that we had and we are grateful for the support," he said.
The minister said Government has been in negotiations with the Chinese Government and its import and export bank to ensure the success of the country's economy and the upcoming season.
He said plans are afoot to ensure that the country boosts it grain output during the forthcoming season.
"Malawi a country which is half the size of Zimbabwe produced 3 million tonnes of grain against 1,2 million that we produced.
"We need to empower our agricultural sector to ensure that it once again becomes the key sector in our economy," he said.
Minister Biti said he was hoping that the relationship between Zimbabwe and China transforms from one based on humanitarian assistance to one that is based on transformatic matrix.
"I hope that two years from now we will be at a ceremony to cut the ribbon to open the Harare-Bulawayo or Harare-Beitbridge highway with your successor," he said.
Industry and Commerce Minister, Welshman Ncube said Government was committed to ensuring that capacity utilisation in industry increases to 60 percent by year-end as enunciated in the Short-term Emergency Recovery Programme.
He said Government would continue to engage various stakeholders to try and address concerns of industry that are hindering growth in capacity utilisation.
Minister Ncube said donations such as the one made by China would go a long way in addressing challenges relating to raw material procurement.
Higher and Tertiary Education and acting Foreign Affairs minister, Dr Stan Mudenge, Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister, Ignatius Chombo, also attended the function.
Other dignitaries included Economic Planning and Investment Promotion deputy minister, Dr Samuel Undenge, Industry and Commerce deputy minister Mike Bimha and secretary for Finance, Willard Manungo.
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