Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe and Mozambique are committed to upgrading the framework of bilateral cooperation from the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation to a Bi-National Commission, as the two countries move to strengthen economic ties.

The two countries have also been discussing major economic projects that include the Ponta Techbanine venture to facilitate seamless trade between their economies.

This was revealed by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Ambassador Douglas Nyikayaramba in his 40th Independence Anniversary statement to the Mozambican government, diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Mozambique, as well as Zimbabweans resident in that country.

Ambassador Nyikayaramba expressed concern that trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique was too low for such key strategic partners and brotherly countries sharing a long enduring history.

He said the two countries had been looking at possibilities of doing joint ventures and investments.

“The economic pillars of Zimbabwe and Mozambique are identical, being agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing and energy, making it easy to forge synergies and partnerships on a win-win situation,” said Ambassador Nyikayaramba.

“To this effect, we have identified the low hanging fruits in the Mozambique economy, in those sectors for trade exchange in the immediate to medium term. We are happy to note that His Excellency President Nyusi is keen to see business exchange between the two economies being stepped up.”

In July 2019, Zimbabwe and Mozambique signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in agriculture that will enable extension workers to exchange ideas on boosting production and productivity in the two countries.

Ambassador Nyikayaramba said Zimbabwe could learn to produce cassava, a drought resistant crop and derive economic benefits from the crop.

“The two countries also signed an MoU on tourism, which provides for joint marketing of our prime destination. We are hoping that concrete initiatives will be sealed during the planned visit by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment and Tourism post Covid-19.”

Ambassador Nyikayaramba expressed concern over the fact that Zimbabwe was celebrating her 40th independence anniversary in the context of unprecedented times brought by the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We acknowledge the international cooperating partners that have also come to our aid during this trying time, said Ambassador Nyikayaramba. Zimbabwe has so far received support and pledges from China, the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Global Fund, Global Financing Facility, World Bank and Chinese Jack Ma Foundation.

“We believe and have confidence in the response that the Government of Mozambique is implementing within the means and capacity available to beat this invisible enemy of Covid-19 that is a threat to both our economies as neighbours and the global economy at large.”

Ambassador Nyikayaramba said the country had remained committed to engagement and re-engagement with the hope that nations that wronged Zimbabwe would realise that there was more to be gained from cooperation than there was in enmity.

He expressed gratitude to the countries that stood by Zimbabwe in calling for the lifting of illegal sanctions, especially those in the Sadc and the Africa Union.

“Zimbabwe continues to implement reforms to make our country more approachable through adoption of global best practices, said Ambassador Nyikayaramba.

“Our country has moved 15 places up in the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Index. We continue to put appropriate legal measures to improve the environment for doing business.

“The Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency Act was enacted and has seen the establishment of a one stop investment centre which has the requisite staffing in pace. The Special Economic Zones are also taking shape.”

Ambassador Nyikayaramba urged Zimbabweans to remain focused on the broader objective of moving the country towards an upper middle income economy by 2030.

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