Chronicle of Study Mission to Zimbabwe by Zhongshang Commerce Tobacco Co., Ltd.

    On the late night of February 29, 2024, Chairman Jianxin Zhang of Zhongshang Commerce Tobacco Co. Ltd. led an exploration delegation from Beijing. After transiting through Dubai and Lusaka, the arduous journey lasting nearly 23 hours culminated in their arrival at Harare International Airport in Zimbabwe at 5 p.m. local time on March 1, heralding the commencement of a meticulous 9-day study mission.

    First Destination - FuNuo Factory

    On the morning of the 2nd, the delegation convened with Chairman Wu Ye and other senior executives of Zimbabwe's FuNuo Company to advance the implementation of the bilateral cooperation agreement signed in December 2023. Notable attendees included the group's external legal advisor, Yajie Ji, our deputy general manager, Ying Chen, and marketing manager, Haozhe Guo.

    Chairman Ye extended a warm welcome to our delegation, providing comprehensive insights into FuNuo Company's establishment, management structure, cigarette R&D, production, sales, and logistics. In response, Chairman Zhang conveyed gratitude for the gracious hospitality extended by FuNuo Company and succinctly outlined our company's profile, including an overview of our Yumao brand's production, sales, and strategic layout. Additionally, he presented four specific proposals for future collaboration, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

    Subsequently, escorted by Chairman Ye, Chairman Zhang and his team conducted an onsite examination of FuNuo Factory, meticulously scrutinizing its cigarette rolling, packaging, and production lines. FuNuo Company's decade-long tenure in Zimbabwe's tobacco industry, particularly its stronghold in tobacco leaf management, was duly noted.

    This field study facilitated extensive dialogue on resource integration, with both parties aspiring to expedite the introduction of premium Zimbabwean tobacco leaves to China and global markets, thereby offering superior products and services to Yumao customers worldwide.

    Second Destination - Embassy of China in Zimbabwe

    On the morning of the 4th, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of China in Zimbabwe, where Charge d'Affaires  Yan Cheng and First Secretary Feng Zhu cordially welcomed Chairman Zhang and his team.

    In absence of the ambassador, Charge d'Affaires Yan Cheng extended warm greetings to Chairman Zhang, offering a concise overview of embassy services for Chinese enterprises. Chairman Zhang expressed appreciation for the gracious reception and provided a succinct overview of our company and the objectives of our visit, seeking insights into local business environment nuances, tobacco industry trends, medical sector investment prospects, and other pertinent aspects. Charge d'Affaires Yan Cheng responded with detailed briefings on Zimbabwe's resource landscape, investment climate, and endeavors of local Chinese entities in sectors such as mining and healthcare. He warmly encouraged our company's investment endeavors in Zimbabwe,  pledging full-fledged support and assistance from the embassy.

    Post-meeting, our company conducted site visits to pertinent projects in Zimbabwe, encompassing public comprehensive hospitals, privately funded specialized healthcare facilities, and medicinal cannabis cultivation and processing sites.

Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare's foremost public medical facility

Health Point Private Hospital

AMCB medicinal cannabis cultivation zone

Holding a license for cultivation and processing, it stands as Africa's largest medicinal cannabis cultivation hub

Preliminary extraction workshop

    Third Destination - Tobacco Plantations

    On the morning of the 5th, as per itinerary, the delegation ventured to tobacco plantations managed by local tobacco merchants in Zimbabwe for firsthand observations and research.

Zimbabwe Tobacco Plantation Fields

    Located in southern Africa, Zimbabwe boasts a tropical grassland climate characterized by high temperatures, substantial diurnal temperature variations, abundant sunlight, and an annual rainfall of approximately 1000 millimeters, rendering it globally renowned as an optimal tobacco cultivation hub. However, reduced precipitation this year forecasts a 20% decline in national tobacco production to 220,000 tons compared to the previous year.

The inspection team learned tobacco leaf harvesting techniques from tobacco farmers

The inspection team learned about tobacco leaf classification work

    Engagement with local tobacco farmers provided valuable insights into tobacco harvesting techniques and classification methodologies, underscoring the specialized nature of tobacco cultivation, which demands proficiency, specialized tools, and nuanced expertise. With the harvest season underway, farmers are currently engaged in dehydrating harvested tobacco leaves and meticulously sorting and packaging them based on quality parameters in preparation for the imminent opening of Zimbabwe's preeminent tobacco auction market.

The world's largest tobacco auction market—preparing for the bidding opening on March 13, 2024

Visited tobacco storage warehouses

    March 6th-8th, Chairman Zhang and his team engaged with three prominent tobacco purchasers among Zimbabwe's top ten, comprehensively studying procurement contracts, auction proceedings, and the end-to-end tobacco industry value chain encompassing cultivation, processing, and sales.

The purchasers presented a distribution map of Zimbabwean tobacco

    The adage "To learn extensively, inquire thoroughly, think critically, distinguish clearly, and act earnestly". Reflecting on the exhaustive nine-day exploration, our company gleaned profound insights into Zimbabwe's distinctive cultural allure and developmental prospects. Embracing the "Belt and Road" development strategy, we are committed to fostering robust partnerships with local Zimbabwean enterprises, collectively exploring avenues for mutual benefit and prosperity. In doing so, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the realization of the lofty vision set forth by CCFT, hereby fortifying our collective stature on the global stage. Top 100 Chinese Merchants, 100 Nations Merchants, 100 Years Merchants!

Zhongshang Commerce Tobacco Co. Ltd.