Staff Reporter
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Fredrick Shava has said Zimbabwe and Botswana should improve on economic cooperation which forms an important pillar in the two countries bilateral relations.
Speaking during the Ministerial Conference of the Third Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission in
Victoria Falls yesterday, Ambassador Shava also spoke on the need for the neighbouring countries to boost economic growth prospects.
“Economic cooperation should form an important pillar in our bilateral relations. I have noted that the level of bilateral trade was on a downward trend in 2020 and this is unacceptable considering that we are neighbours.
“We need to redouble our efforts in this area by concluding negotiations on the enabling legal instruments and agenda items under consideration during this session of the BNC,” said Ambassador Shava.
The Ambassador also spoke on the outstanding agreements under the second session of the BNC.
“I have noted that it has taken long for us to come to a common understanding regarding the need to upgrade the Plumtree-Ramokgwebana Border Post into a One-Stop Border Post. We already enjoy the benefits of such a facility, with the one between Zimbabwe and Zambia at Chirundu, and between Botswana and Zambia at Kazungula,” he said, highlighting that One-Stop Border Post facilitates trade through reduced transit time for freight and passengers as well as transport costs.
“There should not be any further delays in concluding instruments like the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, the MoU on Cooperative Development and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, and the MoU on Economic, Trade and Investment Promotion, among others. These instruments when finalised have the potential to improve economic and trade relations between our two countries.” he said.
Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and President Mokgwretsi Masisi of Botswana met in Victoria Falls yesterday ahead of today’s official opening of the BNC. The two Presidents are also expected to oversee the signing of memoranda of understanding in several sectors as the two countries deepen relations.
