The Citizen (Gauteng)

Come over for tee, Mr Trump

MNANGAGWA: ZIM PRESIDENT WANTS NEW GOLF COURSE

- Citizen reporter

Victoria Falls project shows country’s commitment to era of investment with US.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa offered United States President Donald Trump an opportunit­y to build his very own golf course at the Victoria Falls wildlife national park, Zimbabwe news site News Day reported.

Mnangagwa offered this to Trump while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Since the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe on July 30, dating back to the early 2000s, the region has expressed its willingnes­s and confidence in re-entering the global economy and associated value chains.

Part of Mnangagwa’s speech read: “My country is now focusing on economic developmen­t as we seek to leapfrog the modernisat­ion and industrial­isation of our country …

“We have outlined our vision to become a middle-income economy with a per capita income of about $3 500 (R49 500). This will bring on board increased investment, decent jobs, broad-based empowermen­t and a society free from poverty and corruption by 2030.”

With the country opening up opportunit­ies for internatio­nal investment, notably with the US, the offer to allow Trump to play golf while viewing the big five animals emphasises the country’s commitment to a new era of relations, investment, and cooperatio­n with the US.

Mnangagwa also said he meant to make this offer to Trump at the Davos conference in Switzerlan­d in January, but had to leave before the US president arrived.

He also met foreign nationals residing in the US, encouragin­g them to bring their investment­s back to Zimbabwe.

Reuters reports the US is pressing Zimbabwe to change laws restrictin­g media freedom and antigovern­ment protests, the US top diplomat for Africa said amid calls by the country’s new leader for US sanctions to be lifted.

Tibor Nagy said political reforms would encourage foreign investment. – news@citizen.co.za

 ?? Picture: AFP ?? IN THE POUND SEAT. Emmerson Mnangagwa, president of Zimbabwe, delivers a speech at the United Nations during its General Assembly in New York. World leaders gathered for the 73rd annual meeting at the UN headquarte­rs in Manhattan.
Picture: AFP IN THE POUND SEAT. Emmerson Mnangagwa, president of Zimbabwe, delivers a speech at the United Nations during its General Assembly in New York. World leaders gathered for the 73rd annual meeting at the UN headquarte­rs in Manhattan.

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