By Abigirl Tembo
BILATERAL relations between Zimbabwe and Thailand have strengthened over the years particularly in areas of trade and education.
With Zimbabwe endowed with both natural and man-made attractions such as the Victoria Falls, Matopo hills, Great Zimbabwe monuments and wildlife at Hwange , Mana pools and Gonarezhou national parks among others, possibilities of synergies with Thailand tourism operators and other sectors are huge.
This was said by Zimbabwe’s Honorary Consul General to Thailand, Professor Kriengsak Chareonwongsak when he met Vice President General (rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga at the just ended International Conference on Family Planning in Pattaya, Thailand.
“We had a very wonderful discussion covering many areas of how we can mutually link Zimbabwe to Thailand and the rest of the world. We have to discuss the issue of trade investment, mining, agriculture, education, tourism and many issues in broad stroke trying to use the strategic positioning of Thailand which is very central to the whole of Asia, particularly the second largest economy of Asia and the long standing relationship between the two countries which can be used to promote tourism.
“In the past we have done some educational scholarships to help Zimbabweans study here. I think this meeting was really wonderful because it’s the start of the new era of Zimbabwe Thailand relations. You know you have many wonderful tourist attractions like Victoria Falls, its first class in the world. tourism is a big possibility, I may be biased, but I hope not.
“I like Zimbabwean people, I have always thought that they are a charming people and therefore it’s possible for us to get together and make things happen soon and very soon,” he said.
Vice President Chiwenga also had a chance to meet Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Public Health Mr Satit Pitutecha where they discussed several areas of cooperation in the health sector.
“We met with the Vice President of Zimbabwe and managed to discuss a lot of issues from COVID-19 to family planning and we also discussed how the two countries can benefit from each other in the sector,” he noted.
Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement drive being spearheaded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has witnessed the country making beneficial alliances and repositioning itself on the international scene.
