ZIMBABWE and Mozambique are scaling up efforts to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, riding on the existing excellent relations between the two countries.
With Mozambique being Zimbabwe’s fourth largest trading partner, new economic bridges are being built between the two Southern African countries.
An investment conference held in Beira, Mozambique, this Tuesday during a trade mission facilitated by ZimTrade, saw Mozambican government officials underscoring the need for African countries to be masters of their own destiny in terms of development.
“Trade and investment play a vital role in promoting innovative and inclusive economies. Sofala Province has improved its business environment to attract more investments. We have investment opportunities in the infrastructural development sector among other sectors of the economy,” Secretary of State for Sofala Province, Ms Cecilia Chamutota said.
“I confirm participation at the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanai tourism expo scheduled for this September in Mutare. I would want to acknowledge the statement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that we need to develop our countries. We can count on others, but it’s our responsibility to develop Africa,” the Governor of Sofala Province, Mr Lourenco Ferreira Bulha said.
Zimbabwe believes trade between the two countries can grow exponentially if business players seize opportunities in the neighbouring country.
“This conference represents a pivotal moment in strengthening trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Mozambique, with the port of Beira, offers huge trade opportunities to Zimbabwe. To the Zimbabwean delegation, I urge you to take advantage of business opportunities here and engage with Mozambican counterparts. We also urge the Mozambican business to engage their Zimbabwean counterparts,” the Consul General for Zimbabwe in Mozambique, Mr Malvern Bere said.
“In recent months, we have witnessed continued strengthening of our political ties, which have a long history traced back to our war of liberation. We are grateful for the invitation to this gathering, which is designed to strengthen trade relations and enhance economic collaboration.
“This conference should see us promoting international trade and investment by facilitating connections between businesses in our two countries while also fostering the development of new markets in Mozambique. Together, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Sofala and Manicaland Provinces, can serve as models of regional cooperation, unity, and resilience,” Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
With strong ties matched with bold ambitions, Zimbabwe and Mozambique are looking to grow their economies together.
The outward trade mission, which started this Tuesday, is expected to end on Thursday, with the Zimbabwean delegation and business community touring a number of companies in Beira.
