Shamaine Chirimujiri
STAFF WRITER
ZIMBABWE has been urged to intensify its anti-corruption war. The European Union (EU) added yesterday that doing this would help to attract foreign investment and to advance the country’s national debt clearance quests.
Speaking during a Transparency International Zimbabwe Integrity and Accountability Summit in Harare yesterday, EU head of delegation to Zimbabwe, Katrin Hagemann, said the country still had a lot of work to do to combat corruption.
“Zimbabwe’s corruption perceptions index score of 21 out of 100 is a sobering reminder that more still needs to be done. Additionally, as acknowledged in the National Development Strategy 2, the effort to fight corruption must continue.
“What could countries achieve if the resources lost to corruption were invested instead in schools, clinics, justice, clean water and opportunities for young people?
“Let us ask another honest question. Can investment fully flourish where corruption remains a persistent risk?” Hagemann asked.
“Investors are drawn by opportunity and by integrity. That is why the clearance of arrears matters so much.
“It can open the door to greater confidence and to wider Global Gateway investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.
“Allow me to conclude by restating that integrity is the foundation for debt resolution, economic recovery and public trust. Integrity needs to be practiced until it becomes the culture of institutions, inspires confidence among citizens, attracts investors and contributes to economic growth,” Hagemann said further.
She also said the EU remained committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s reform agenda, while encouraging authorities to translate policy commitments into tangible results.
“The European Union remains a committed partner to Zimbabwe.
“We recognise the progress made, we acknowledge the gaps that still exist and we remain convinced that there are real opportunities ahead. Let us move from policy to practice, turn reforms into results and make integrity the habit that shapes us all.
“Let us keep moving. Partners are here to support, but only Zimbabwe can carry this agenda to completion,” Hagemann said.
“The European Union is actively participating as co-chair of the governance track under which reforms have been agreed to the transparency and accountability pillar and the enhanced justice delivery pillar.
“We welcome progress already made, including the gazetting of the whistle-blower protection bill.
“This is important because reforms become credible when they are implemented and trust grows when citizens can progress,” Hagemann added.
This comes as Zimbabwe owes more than US$14 billion to international creditors, a debt that is blocking access to fresh global capital.