DT Correspondent
HARARE – ZIMBABWE requires a minimum of ZW$499,2 billion, about US$88 million at government’s interbank rate, to sustain the ongoing efforts of enhancing its perception, image, construct and spruce up chanceries and embassy buildings across various diplomatic missions.
The money will also be used to purchase properties at various missions starting next year in line with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ responsibility.
In his presentation during a recent pre-budget seminar, Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Fredrick Shava said there is need for more resources to promote the political and economic interests, image and influence of Zimbabwe.
“Overall all budget items were underfunded by 46 percent …and it is my Ministry’s appeal to Treasury to consider our proposal for additional funding.
“The allocated budget of ZWL$53,7 billion will only be adequate to cater for construction works in Abuja, Nigeria.
“The Ministry requires a total ZWL$499,2 billion in order carry out construction projects as well as purchase of properties at various Missions…,” he said.
Some of the capital projects the Ministry is proposing include the renovations of mission buildings in Pretoria, London, Maputo, Berlin, Paris and Gaborone while new constructions are earmarked for Abuja, New York, Lusaka, Dodoma and Gaborone.
Zimbabwe also seeks to purchase properties in Abu Dhabi, Brasilia, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cairo and Gaborone.
“We are also anticipating entering into Public Private Partnerships with Windhoek, London, New York and Geneva,” said Shava.
This year alone, the ministry has managed to refurbish at least 11 properties in South Africa, Mozambique, the United States and Kenya despite a constrained budget.
In some of their major achievements, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow for the second quarter of 2023 stood at US$445.70 million – an increase of 13 percent from the US$337.50 million received in the Second Quarter of 2022.
A total of US$1,166,713,452 diaspora remittances was received from January to August, which represents a growth of 24.4 percent from US$1,077,824,565 received in 2022.
For the period between January to August 2023, the country’s exports stood at US$4.48 billion, which is a 6.1 percent increase compared to US$4.22 billion recorded during the same period in 2022.
The Ministry requires a substantial amount of funding, totalling ZWL$1,139,311,088,500 trillion or US$175,278,679, in order to successfully fulfil its mission of advancing Zimbabwe’s political and economic interests, enhancing its global reputation and influence, as well as safeguarding the well-being and security of Zimbabwean citizens residing overseas.
Currently, they were only allocated ZWL$613,014,010,000 billion which is 46 percent short of the required ideal budget for the ministry.
