By Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
ZIMBABWE is charting a new course in terms of its relations with the European Union(EU) trading bloc after a strained relationship due to the existence of illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country by the West.
Zimbabwean firms have recorded huge losses during the past 20 years as a result of illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country by the United States of America and its Western Allies.
While the EU trading bloc has lifted economic sanctions imposed on a number of companies, the damage had already been done as some companies had ceased operations.
Political Analyst Abigirl Mupambi believes the agreements signed between Zimbabwe and the EU are a step in the right direction as the country mends its relations with the European Union.
“We have witnessed local firms closing operations during that era of acrimony. We are happy that relations between EU and Zimbabwe are on the mend hence a loss of activity,” she said.
Another political analyst Gibson Nyikadzino is convinced the Second Republic’s strategy of re-engagement with the EU is paying off as most horticultural firms are now exporting to that region.
“We had faced isolation for a very long time which affected our firms in terms of revenue, but we hope what they are doing is the beginning of better things to come,” he said.
The engagement and re-engagement agenda that is being championed by the second republic is paying dividends and the sincerity of the EU will come to test next year when the bloc reviews illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
