Raymond Zarurai
Harare: In the bid to deepen bilateral relations and seek cordial relations between Kuala Lumpur and Harare, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sent off the recently appointed ambassador, Mrs Constance Chemwayi to Malaysia for her duties.
Speaking to the media after her sent-off meeting with the President, Mrs Chemwayi said she is going to explore the economic thrust that Zimbabwe has been pushing in its foreign adventures as its seeks engagement and re-engagement.
“I have just received my marching orders and once all arrangements are in place I will be leaving. My assignment is to go and deepen those relations that already exist between the two countries. We have political, economic, social and cultural relations, my assignment is to take them to another level. As you know, we have a foreign policy thrust on economic diplomacy so I will ensure our economic relations are at a higher level.”
After serving for more than 30 years in foreign service, this will be the first ambassadorial role for Mrs Chemwayi who was currently serving as the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Ambassador Chemwayi will be representing Zimbabwe to other countries which include Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
“I will be based in Kuala Lumpur, but I will also be responsible for Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, and the assignment is the same. Also, remember we have a strong contingent of students mainly in Malaysia and our role as a mission is their interests are safeguarded as well as Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
I have been in the foreign service since 1991 as soon as I left college I joined the Ministry from the lowest level as an administrative officer. So this year come May, that will be 32 years in the Ministry. I have served in South Africa, and I have also served in France,” added the new Ambassador.
Malaysia and Zimbabwe enjoy cordial relations and there already exists a longstanding economic exchange in business and agriculture between the two countries.
In 2020, Zimbabwe sought the support of Malaysia in its course to find readmission into the Commonwealth, a feat the Southern African country is yet to achieve.
