French Ambassador to Zimbabwe Richard Boidin has joined other Western ambassadors in weighing in their opinions about sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe or certain citizens. He reiterated that sanctions cannot stop investment by French companies in Zimbabwe.
Boidin made the remarks while addressing an audience where he was a guest at the commissioning of a USD 1 million Weber plant for tile by French owned company Saint Gobain Construction Products Zimbabwe.
“The Zimbabwe government might use sanctions as an excuse but this will not stop companies like Saint Gobain from cashing in high margins and investing in Zimbabwe. This investment by Saint Gobain is evidence that sanctions will not stop French companies from investing in Zimbabwe, among other companies like Larfarge Holchim, AGS and Total operating locally,” Boidin said.
Ambassador Boidin’s sentiments were echoed by UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson. She said the same applied for British companies as well. “Also true for British companies. We have $1.9 billion existing investments. But British companies repeatedly say the impediments to more investment are foreign exchange rate issues, lack of investible 99-year leases and weak confidence in the rule of law. Sanctions play no role,” she wrote on Twitter.
The Zanu PF led government went into overdrive last year when they hosted an anti sanctions march and gala that flopped. The event followed a declaration by SADC that 25 October 2019 be set aside as an Anti Sanctions day in Soldarity with Zimbabwe.