As part of moves to encourage importation of brand new made- in- China vehicles into Zimbabwe, a total of 85 vehicles have been donated to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the smooth running of Government business.
The vehicles which included 45 buses and 40 executive MG6 saloon cars were distributed to Government ministries and departments such as the CMED and the Office of the President and Cabinet.
As part of moves to encourage importation of brand new made- in- China vehicles into Zimbabwe, a total of 85 vehicles have been donated to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the smooth running of Government business.
The vehicles which included 45 buses and 40 executive MG6 saloon cars were distributed to Government ministries and departments such as the CMED and the Office of the President and Cabinet.
The vehicles were donated to the ministry by two automobiles manufacturing giant from China which include; Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Company and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
Speaking at the handover of the vehicles, last week, the Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said the donation will help Government replace its old fleet.
"This is a most thoughtful donation coming as it does at a time when the Government of Zimbabwe is grappling with the urgent need to replace obsolete vehicles in the various ministries and departments.
"Thus, this donation comprising of executive MG6 saloons and luxury buses, should go a very long way in enabling my ministry as well as other ministries and departments to effectively and timeously execute Government programmes and projects. For this, I thank you China, you are a friend indeed," he said.
According to him the vehicles were a welcome relief to Government.
He said the ministry was facing transport challenges for its staff and visiting delegations.
Mumbengegwi said that the donation was the biggest vehicle donation his ministry had received to date.
He urged the two Chinese companies, Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Company and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation — that manufactured the vehicles to consider setting assembly plants in Zimbabwe.
"I have been informed that both companies have long-term plans not only to set up service centres for the vehicles but also to set up dealerships here in Zimbabwe.
"I would like to encourage them to go further and seriously consider assembling the vehicles locally for both the Zimbabwean and the regional markets," he said.
The Minister said that the donation of the vehicles came soon after another donation of 600 tonnes of food by the Chinese government.
He said the donation was worthy the cause considering that some parts of the country were experiencing food deficits.
Minister Mumbengegwi took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Xin Shunkang, for his sterling efforts in ensuring that relations between Harare and Beijing were strengthened.
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