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Joseph Madzimure Senior Reporter
THE Zambian government is committed to enhancing trade with Zimbabwe as business co-operation between the two countries has strengthened over the years, Zambian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Emmanuel Chanda has said. Speaking at the 55th independence anniversary of Zambia in Harare last week, Ambassador Chanda said trade relations between the two countries were set to improve.

“Trade relations and cooperation between Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West Province and the Southern Province of Zambia are set to deepen following the signing of a twinning memorandum of understanding,” he said.
“The agreement would result in socio-economic transformation in the two provinces.

“This is in line with SADC and African Union’s agenda for promoting an Africa-wide free trade area.”
Ambassador Chanda said Zambia and Zimbabwe were commonly referred to as Siamese twins, who had maintained good relations.

“In this respect, we have remained all-weather friends, cooperating at bilateral, regional and international levels, bound by historical ties between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“The two countries jointly share the Kariba Dam, a major source of hydroelectric power.”
Speaking at the same occasion, Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Alice Mageza commended the relations that exist between the two countries.

“The history of Zimbabwe cannot be complete without acknowledging the pivotal role that Zambia played in the liberation struggle,” she said.

“Zambia played host to thousands of sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who left their homes to join the liberation struggle.
“We remain grateful for the important role that our Zambian brothers and sisters played that led to the independence of Zimbabwe and other countries in the region.”

Ambassador Mageza commended the Zambian government for assisting those affected by Cyclone Idai.
“In the aftermath of the devastation that was caused by tropical Cyclone Idai in March this year, the Government of Zambia immediately dispatched tonnes of foodstuffs and other supplies to support the affected families,” said Ambassador Mageza.
She said the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) is an effective mechanism to manage relations between the two countries.

In this regard, Zambia hosted a successful 17th Session of the JPCC in Lusaka in October 2018.
Zimbabwe is ready to host the 18th session in 2020, which is expected to take stock of progress made in implementing the decisions taken and explore new areas of cooperation.

Ambassador Mageza said there were numerous joint projects the two countries were working on in the infrastructure sector, which, when successfully implemented, will have a major impact on both economies.