Chinese Government provides 40 million RMB grant via ETCA for agricultural inputs, animal vaccines, and transport sector activities (Linked to Record ID#61278 and #61255)

On 16 December, 2002, the governments of China and Zimbabwe signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) for the provision of a 40 million RMB grant (equivalent to $4.8 million) to 'alleviate some of the difficulties' of the Zimbabwean population following a drought.

Specifically, the grant money was to be used to help develop agriculture and supplement government food aid, as well as procure irrigation equipment for farmers and the importation of yellow maize.

The Government of China was represented by its Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Hou Qingru, and the Minister of Finance and Development, Herbert Murerwa, accepted the funds on behalf of the Zimbabwean Government. It is unclear if the funds were eventually disbursed.

It was reported that the $4.8 million grant had two parts: a $1 million grant for the purchase of agricultural inputs and animal vaccines (captured in Record ID#61278) and a $3.8 million grant for transport sector (captured in Record ID#61255).