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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S central bank governor quietly slipped out of the country as chaos engulfed the nation leading to Monday's switch-over from old to new bank notes.

Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono left for China on his latest globetrotting mission in search of a rescue package for the country's flailing economy, it was confirmed Monday.

Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa confirmed that Gono had led a delegation to China, but would not give reasons for the trip.

Murerwa said: "Yes, the governor is in China. That is all I can say."

Gono's decision to leave the country before Monday's switch-over paints a picture of calm, but Harare was all but calm on Monday as Zimbabweans rushed to spend or exchange the old currency for new bank notes.

The currency change is the centre piece of an RBZ strategy to thwart money hoarders who were holding onto large sums, mainly for trade on the thriving black market.

President Robert Mugabe has made several trips to the Far East in recent years as part of his 'Look East Policy'.

Mugabe's government has signed several concessions, using minerals as security to obtain foreign loans and aid.

Sources said Monday that Gono's visit is a follow-up on Vice President Joice Mujuru's recent trip to China during which she signed a number of deals - including a controversial US$60 million deal that will see China improve Zimbabwe's state TV and radio transmission in exchange for chrome.

Gono has made several foreign trips in recent months, including forays into Russia and South Korea in a bid to attract foreign investments after most European countries scaled down investment in Zimbabwe.

Last month, Gono was in Mozambique to learn about the country's currency reforms, before his announcement at the start of August that the central bank was striking off three zeros from Zimbabwe's inflation-hit currency.

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