THE Chinese business community in Zimbabwe is willing to partner with locals to ensure the success of the country’s economic revival programmes.


The financial director of Shomet Industry Development, one of the biggest Chinese companies in the country, Willa Yu, said in an interview with New Ziana that despite the economic challenges, there were a lot of business opportunities that could be exploited for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

“We support the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in its endeavours to turn around the economy, through putting an end to parallel market trading among other measures,” she said.

Illicit activities were detrimental to economic rejuvenation programmes as they only benefited individuals while the country suffered, she said.

Like other businesses in a hyperinflationary environment, Chinese businesses were facing problems such as shortage of foreign currency, she said.

“The only difference is that the Chinese do not complain,” Yu said.

Having established operations in Zimbabwe eight years ago, Shomet, with six subsidiary companies, employs at least 350 workers.

The subsidiary companies are involved in construction, haulage, engineering, garden furniture production and security service provision.

Meanwhile, Willa noted the need to bridge the language gap between Zimbabweans and Chinese as it was affecting business.

“There is lack of communication between the Chinese community and locals so much that they do not even understand each other,” she said.

Commenting on Chinese products, which have been described as sub-standard in many quarters, she said China was a major producer of many products of different quality.
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While cheap quality goods were manufactured to cater for the low-income earners, the country also produced quality goods, which some big companies in Zimbabwe were importing.

“The consumer has the final say; it is very unfortunate that people remember the bad things, but there are also quality products that come from China,” she said.

“You find that people have the option to buy other products but despite the complaints, they still buy the Chinese goods.” — New Ziana.