ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe will discuss trade and investment issues with Thai leaders during a hastily arranged three-day state visit to begin later on Monday, the foreign ministry said. Mugabe was originally due to attend this week’s Commonwealth summit in Australia but it was abruptly cancelled in the aftermath of last month’s terrorist attacks on the United States. In a last-minute change of plans Mugabe decided to journey on to Thailand and Cambodia as part of an Asia-Pacific tour which has already taken in Singapore and Vietnam. After arriving he is scheduled to visit landmarks in the Thai capital including the Grand Palace and the sacred Emerald Buddha, before an evening meeting with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. “The two countries will discuss tightening relations and cooperation including in trade and investment,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. Thailand’s exports to Zimbabwe last year — mostly rice, vehicles, rubber and plastic — were worth $4,69-million. They were outweighed by $42,21-million in imported gold, jewellery and thread for textiles. – AFP
Friday September 28, 2001