‘We aim to strengthen Zimbabwe-India ties’

Stella Nkomo, recently appointed as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to India, is poised to embark on a bold mission to redefine Zimbabwe’s global economic landscape. Her strategic focus is on harnessing the power of tourism and trade to drive economic growth, attract investment and elevate Zimbabwe’s status as a premier investment destination. A highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in marketing, public relations and business leadership, she has held significant roles at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company, including Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of Marketing.

Main goals and priorities
In her new mandate focussed on economic diplomacy, Ambassador Nkomo aims to harness the power of tourism and trade to stimulate economic growth, attract investment and elevate Zimbabwe’s reputation as a premier investment destination. “My mandate is centred on economic diplomacy,” she explains, adding, “I’m dedicated to leveraging tourism and trade to drive economic progress and make the country a leading investment destination on the global stage.”

Ambassador Nkomo is all set to strengthen bilateral economic ties with India. She sees immense potential in exploring new opportunities and sectors for collaboration, tapping into Indian expertise and resources. “Zimbabwe is endowed with natural riches and a strong foundation, positioning us perfectly for growth and development. We are keen to leverage new sectors for mutual benefit and explore how Indian expertise can contribute to our progress,” she says.

A key element of her strategy involves promoting Zimbabwe’s world-renowned tourist attractions to foster deeper connections between Zimbabwe and India. “Cultural exchange and tourism offer unique opportunities to build lasting bonds between our nations. By showcasing Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, we can enhance people-to-people connections and mutual understanding,” asserts Ambassador Nkomo.

Diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and India
Zimbabwe and India share a rich diplomatic history that stretches back to medieval times, characterised by frequent high-level government visits and a robust relationship. This longstanding connection has facilitated significant cooperation in diverse sectors such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, energy, education, tourism and culture.

“Our historical relationship is marked by frequent interactions and collaborations across various sectors. We are committed to sustaining and deepening this engagement. Our nations have a deep and enduring bond,” says Ambassador Nkomo. She emphasises on the importance of continuing this tradition of cooperation. “Our goal is to foster an even stronger partnership between Zimbabwe and India through ongoing dialogue and collaboration. By leveraging our shared history and mutual interests, we aim to enhance our cooperation in key areas and explore new opportunities for growth,” she explains.

The focus on sustaining and deepening this relationship is evident in the strategic efforts to build on existing cooperation and expand into new realms. “Our collaboration in sectors like healthcare, energy, and education has already yielded significant benefits,” notes Ambassador Nkomo, adding, “We intend to strengthen these ties further and explore additional avenues for partnership, particularly in tourism and cultural exchange, which hold great promise for enhancing people-to-people connections.”

Focus on collaborations 
Through collaborative efforts with India, Zimbabwe can tap into India’s expertise and success stories in critical areas like agriculture, food security, renewable energy, information communication technology and infrastructure development, feels Ambassador Nkomo. “By sharing knowledge and best practices, we can identify opportunities for cooperation and learning, ultimately strengthening Zimbabwe’s development trajectory and fostering a more prosperous future for our nations,” she says.

Cultural exchange between Zimbabwe and India
“My tenure has reinforced the realisation that both Zimbabwe and India boast a rich cultural heritage. Our people take immense pride in their traditions, which creates a fertile ground for meaningful cultural exchange and mutual learning,” shares Ambassador Nkomo, highlighting the opportunity presented by this shared cultural richness. “This shared heritage offers an excellent platform for people-to-people connections. By engaging in cultural exchanges, we can foster deeper understanding and appreciation for both our similarities and differences,” she says.

As part of her mandate, Ambassador Nkomo aims to strengthen Zimbabwe’s engagement in cultural platforms, showcasing the country’s heritage while embracing Indian culture. “We are committed to actively participating in cultural exchanges and showcasing our own traditions. At the same time, we will embrace and learn from Indian cultural practices, fostering a mutual appreciation that enriches both our societies,” she explains.

This approach is set to enhance bilateral relations by celebrating cultural diversity and building connections that transcend borders. “Through these cultural initiatives, we hope to deepen our understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage. Our shared cultural values provide a strong foundation for collaboration and mutual respect, paving the way for a more interconnected and harmonious relationship between Zimbabwe and India,” avers the Ambassador.

Cultural events and initiatives 
Zimbabwe and India have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the field of culture. Zimbabwean cultural dance troupes and crafts artists participate at the Suraj Kund Crafts Mela held in Haryana annually in February. “There is a strong spirit of cooperation between Zimbabwe and India in the cultural sphere, with several events and initiatives lined up to showcase our shared heritage. These include the celebration of Zimbabwe’s National Day, a taste of Zimbabwe campaign highlighting our unique gastronomy, and exhibitions on arts and culture which Zimbabwe attends annually. The Embassy is committed to continuing its support for these initiatives,” she informs.

Increased economic cooperation
The potential for deepening economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and India is vast and promising. Ambassador Nkomo highlights several strategic sectors ripe for bilateral partnerships, including tourism, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, ICT, mineral concentrates, and innovative technologies for SMEs. “The scope for increased economic cooperation between our nations is substantial. We have pinpointed key sectors where bilateral partnerships could thrive. These include tourism, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and technology, all of which offer significant opportunities for collaboration,” she asserts.

To capitalise on these opportunities, Ambassador Nkomo outlines a series of initiatives aimed at fostering stronger ties. “The Embassy will play a crucial role in facilitating this collaboration by implementing existing agreements and providing robust support to stakeholders in both countries. Our goal is to ensure that these partnerships are not only conceptualised but effectively realised,” she says.

The planned initiatives include India travel trade familiarisation tour and B2B meetings with Zimbabwe’s tourism industry. Further, Zimbabwe plans to establish roadshows in major Indian cities and participate in various events, expos and conclaves.

Trade or investment opportunities
“The people of Zimbabwe are united in their quest for economic advancement. With President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s leadership, we are committed to achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030. To make this vision a reality, we are actively courting investors to explore our country’s vast opportunities,” she says. Zimbabwe’s open-for-business policy offers a dynamic investment landscape across various sectors. “Our country presents a unique investment haven. We have a wide range of opportunities in tourism, aviation, infrastructure development, and more. These sectors are supported by ongoing economic reforms, favorable government policies, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem,” explains Ambassador Nkomo.

One significant initiative to bolster these efforts is the establishment of a direct flight between Zimbabwe and India. “This direct flight will be a game-changer. It will not only boost tourism arrivals in Zimbabwe but also facilitate trade in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and consumer goods that are not manufactured locally. This step is crucial for strengthening our bilateral economic ties,” she notes.

Opportunities for Zimbabwe-India relations
India’s manufacturing expertise spans semi to fully automated equipment across various industries. As Zimbabwe anticipates a 3.5 per cent GDP growth in 2024, “technology transfer collaborations with India become increasingly vital,” says Ambassador Nkomo, highlighting the importance of harnessing Indian technology to boost sectors like mining, agriculture and ICT.

She emphasises that such collaborations can “significantly enhance Zimbabwe’s value chains and food security,” especially through advancements in climate-resilient agriculture and the development of drought-resistant seeds. These partnerships are key to unlocking productivity gains, driving economic growth, and achieving sustainable development outcomes.

Engaging with the Zimbabwean diaspora in India 
The Zimbabwean diaspora in India, largely composed of students, is set to see enhanced engagement through new initiatives by the Embassy. “We plan to organise events, seminars and workshops focussed on Zimbabwe-India relations, education and career development,” says Ambassador Nkomo. She stresses on the importance of collaboration with student representatives. “These partnerships will help us gather feedback and improve our support services,” she explains. Additionally, the Embassy aims to build bridges between Zimbabwean and Indian student organizations to foster mutual understanding and cooperation. This initiative is designed to strengthen the sense of community among Zimbabwean students in India and promote cultural exchange and knowledge sharing between the two nations.

Raising awareness about tourism offerings in India
To tap into India’s vast market, Zimbabwe has appointed a dedicated Tourism Attaché at the Embassy. “Our goal is to promote Zimbabwe’s unique tourism offerings beyond our shared passion for cricket,” says Ambassador Nkomo. The strategy includes targetted events, campaigns and collaborations with Indian tour operators and travel agencies. “We want to enhance the Visit Zimbabwe brand and promote cultural exchange programmes,” she explains.

Plans include roadshows in key Indian cities and familiarisation tours for travel trade and opinion leaders. “These initiatives will highlight Zimbabwe’s rich cultural diversity and position it as a premier African destination,” she adds.

Enhancing tourism infrastructure 
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is undergoing significant advancements with major infrastructure upgrades. The refurbishment of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare and Victoria Falls International Airport now allows for larger aircraft and increased passenger capacity, greatly enhancing the travel experience. Ambassador Nkomo highlights the impact of these improvements, “These airport upgrades are crucial for accommodating more visitors and improving accessibility.”

Additionally, Zimbabwe is witnessing a surge in new hotel and lodge developments around iconic destinations like Victoria Falls. “The expansion of room capacity and the introduction of innovative products are aimed at attracting a diverse range of global travellers,” notes Ambassador Nkomo. These developments reflect Zimbabwe’s commitment to elevating its tourism infrastructure and broadening its appeal to international visitors.

Streamlining visa processes for Indian travellers
Zimbabwe is extending a warm welcome to Indian visitors with its convenient Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility, available for a nominal fee of $30 for a single entry. The Ambassador emphasises on the benefits of this service, “The hassle-free VoA process ensures a smooth and swift entry into Zimbabwe, making it an attractive destination for Indian travellers.”

With the VoA, Indian visitors can enjoy a stress-free journey and fully immerse themselves in Zimbabwe’s breath-taking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. “From exploring the majestic Victoria Falls and experiencing thrilling wildlife safaris to discovering vibrant cities, Zimbabwe offers an unforgettable experience,” she adds.

Long-term aspirations for Zimbabwe-India relations
The vision for Zimbabwe and India is to establish a comprehensive and sustainable partnership grounded in mutual benefit and cooperation. Ambassador Nkomo outlines the goals, “We aim to build a partnership that not only strengthens existing ties but also expands trade and investment, and fosters people-to-people connections.”

This collaboration seeks to create a model for South-South cooperation, showcasing the impact of joint development efforts. “By driving economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability, we can tackle global challenges effectively,” explains Ambassador Nkomo. Through this partnership, Zimbabwe and India strive to unlock new opportunities, enhance regional cooperation and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Saurabh Tankha

BW Reporters The author is the Editor at BW HOTELIER.