Download zimbabwe : fact sheet

Embassy of India, Harare
ZIMBABWE : FACT SHEET
Republic of Zimbabwe-Capital City-Harare
Official Name
12.97 million (2012 census, provisional)
Population
As per M/o Economic Affairs record, GDP Per capita (PPP) US$520 (2011 est.), GDP-Real
GDP
Growth Rate: 9.3% (2011); 4.4% (2012 est.)
US dollars and South African rand
Currency
English. Other Languages: Shona, Ndebele
Official Language
18 April 1980
Date of Independence
Parliamentary democracy
Form of Government
H.E. Mr. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, PM of Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980 &
Head of State &
President since 1987 (received Nehru Award for 1989 during his State Visit to India in 1991)
Government
(i) Hon’ble Mrs. J.T.R. Mujuru
Vice Presidents
(ii)Post lying vacant after the death of Mr. John Landa Nkomo on 17 January 2013
H.E. Mr. Morgan R. Tsvangirai (appointed on 11.2.09)
Prime Minister
Foreign Affairs Minister
Hon’ble Mr. Simbarashe S. Mumbengegwi
Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) [ZANU(PF)] led by President Mugabe,
Main political parties
has been ruling the country since 1980. In harmonized elections for the President, Senate,
House of Assembly and local bodies held on 29.3.2008, ZANU-PF won 99 seats while the
major faction of opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai
(MDC-T) won 100 seats; the small faction led by Prof. Arthur Mutambara (MDC-M) won 10
seats and one seat was won by an independent. (The MDC was formed in Sept 1999 and split
in anti-Senate and pro-Senate factions in 2006 led by Morgan Tswangirai and Arthur
Mutumbara, respectively). Now, smaller MDC is led by Prof. Welshman Ncube, Minister of
Industry and Commerce.
After much delay and many rounds of negotiations facilitated by SADC-appointed and AU
endorsed facilitator, a Global Political Agreement on power-sharing was signed on 15th
September 2008, an all-inclusive ‘government of national unity’ was finally formed with the
swearing in of Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and his two Deputies on 11th
February 2009.
Present annual inflation rate is estimated to be 3.5%
Inflation
Coal, chrome, asbestos, gold, diamonds, nickel, Copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin,
Mineral potential
platinum (2nd largest reserves in the world) and uranium.
India's exports to US$ 171.72 (2011-12) - small scale equipment, transport equipment and motor vehicles,
organic and agro-chemicals, bulk drugs, pharmaceuticals.
Zimbabwe
Imports
from US$ 6.89 (2011-12) - crude minerals, precious stones, dyeing, non-ferrous metals.
Zimbabwe to India
Major
Import South Africa, United Kingdom, China and United States. (India at 7th position)
Partners
Major
Export South Africa, UAE, Mozambique, Zambia (India at 16th position)
Destinations
India shares cordial and friendly relations with Zimbabwe. From 1980-1996, the relationship
Bilateral Relations
was marked by high-level visits from both sides. During the last couple of years, the
interaction has been revived with Ministerial-level visits, and by the visit of Hon. Ms. J.T.R.
Mujuru to participate in the CII-EXIM Bank Conclave held in March 2012. Zimbabwe is
generally supportive of India in UN and other International fora. India has also reciprocated
the gesture and is engaged in capacity building and human resource development. In 201213, India is likely to extend around 225 ITEC/ICCR/IAFS-II scholarships to Zimbabwe.
India has set up an India-Zimbabwe Technology Centre in HIT at a cost of US$5 million.
Recently, India has set up 3 Hole-in-the-Wall children computer learning stations and is in
the process of setting up a Food Testing Laboratory, a Rural Technology Park and an
Incubation Centre in Zimbabwe under IAFS-II. Lately, India has also approved a Line of
Credit worth US$28.6 million to Zimbabwe for Upgradation of the Deka Pumping Station
and the River Water Intake System in Zimbabwe. India continues to participate in Harare
International Festival of Arts (HIFA) and Zimbabwe International Film Festival(ZIFF). In
May 2012, a Bhangra dance troupe participated in HIFA. A Gujarati dance troupe gave
performances in Zimbabwe in November 2012.
Around 10,000 Person of Indian Origin. Approximately 500 NRI
PIOs/Indians