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Mukudzei Chingwere Herald Reporter

Trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique peaked at approximately US$543 million in 2020 despite the challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cyclone Idai devastations, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava has noted.

He was speaking recently in Harare when he officially opened the 12th session of the Zimbabwe, Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation. He opened it with co-chair Veronica Macamo Dlhovo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique.

“It is encouraging to observe that trade between our two countries has continued on an upward trend despite the external shocks to our economies, notably the devastating Cyclones in 2019 and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ambassador Shava.

“Total trade in 2020 peaked at approximately US$ 543 Million, the highest in the last decade.

“Let us use the legal instruments in place, from the bilateral trade agreement, SADC Trade Protocol and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, to increase trade between our two countries and thereby stimulate economic growth and development,” said Ambassador Shava.

He reminded them that they cannot talk about trade without addressing infrastructure development, a prerequisite for the efficient movement of people, goods and services between trading partners.

“Infrastructure development is a priority in Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1,” said Ambassador Shava.

Ambassador Shava said under Zimbabwe’s economic blueprint President Mnangagwa seeks to modernise and transform the country’s road and rail networks, and border posts to facilitate quicker access to markets.

“Upgrading the Nyamapanda/Chuchamano and Forbes/Machipanda border-posts is key to eliminating the bottlenecks that currently frustrate the smooth movement of people and goods.

“I trust that our respective Ministries and Departments will redouble the efforts to ensure completion of these projects in a reasonably short time,” said Ambassador Shava.

“Zimbabwe’s road to its liberation was paved by the sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters in Mozambique. Those sacrifices, of blood and treasure, are etched indelibly in our hearts and minds.”

Zimbabwe and Mozambique have an inextricably linked destiny that is tethered on a shared history, geography, culture, and more prominently our shared desire for self-determination, which found expression through the liberation struggles.

Minister Macamo Dlhovo reiterated the need for continued cooperation between the two republics and to bring to finality the agreed projects. She said the two countries have a strong history which is a precursor for better cooperation in improving the livelihoods of their respective people.Trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique peaked at approximately US$543 million in 2020 despite the challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cyclone Idai devastations, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava has noted.

He was speaking recently in Harare when he officially opened the 12th session of the Zimbabwe, Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation. He opened it with co-chair Veronica Macamo Dlhovo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique.

“It is encouraging to observe that trade between our two countries has continued on an upward trend despite the external shocks to our economies, notably the devastating Cyclones in 2019 and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ambassador Shava.

“Total trade in 2020 peaked at approximately US$ 543 Million, the highest in the last decade.

“Let us use the legal instruments in place, from the bilateral trade agreement, SADC Trade Protocol and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, to increase trade between our two countries and thereby stimulate economic growth and development,” said Ambassador Shava.

He reminded them that they cannot talk about trade without addressing infrastructure development, a prerequisite for the efficient movement of people, goods and services between trading partners.

“Infrastructure development is a priority in Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1,” said Ambassador Shava.

Ambassador Shava said under Zimbabwe’s economic blueprint President Mnangagwa seeks to modernise and transform the country’s road and rail networks, and border posts to facilitate quicker access to markets.

“Upgrading the Nyamapanda/Chuchamano and Forbes/Machipanda border-posts is key to eliminating the bottlenecks that currently frustrate the smooth movement of people and goods.

“I trust that our respective Ministries and Departments will redouble the efforts to ensure completion of these projects in a reasonably short time,” said Ambassador Shava.

“Zimbabwe’s road to its liberation was paved by the sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters in Mozambique. Those sacrifices, of blood and treasure, are etched indelibly in our hearts and minds.”

Zimbabwe and Mozambique have an inextricably linked destiny that is tethered on a shared history, geography, culture, and more prominently our shared desire for self-determination, which found expression through the liberation struggles.

Minister Macamo Dlhovo reiterated the need for continued cooperation between the two republics and to bring to finality the agreed projects. She said the two countries have a strong history which is a precursor for better cooperation in improving the livelihoods of their respective people.