Staff Reporter
The second session of the Zimbabwe-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission (JPCC) on Co-operation opened today in Harare as the two countries continue to maintain solidarity and diplomatic co-operation.
The two countries are expected to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in ICT, environment, tourism, education and agriculture.
Speaking at the event today, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador James Manzou acknowledged the excellent bilateral ties between Zimbabwe and Rwanda and said the two countries should cooperate on the reduction of tax burdens on individuals and business.
"Just a few weeks ago, His Excellency President Paul Kagame was in Victoria Falls to attend the Transform Africa Summit where various stakeholders hold fruitful discussions on how the continent can harness the power of digital information communication for sustainable economic development. For example, we need to put in place a mechanism for coordinated customs cooperation to tame all revenue leakages and reduce the tax burdens on individuals and business operations in both countries through an MOU on customs cooperation,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President applauded the two countries’ trade development agencies, ZimTrade and the Rwanda Development Board for their continued efforts in giving the business sectors an opportunity to meet through the Trade and Investment Conferences which have been religiously convening on an annual basis since 2021.
Ambassador Manzou further added that “another key highlight of this session will be the signing of the MOU on cooperation in the field of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. This instrument is vital because, in this day and age, as has been demonstrated by your country's great leap forward, the progressive development of society is impeded in the adoption of modern technologies which are an enabler of economic development."
Just a few weeks ago, President Kagame was in Victoria Falls to attend the Victoria Falls Transform Africa Summit, where several Heads of State and key stakeholders held fruitful discussions on harnessing digital technology. This followed the visit to Rwanda by President Emerson Mnangagwa in September at the invitation of President Kagame to the Africa Green Revolution Forum.
Meanwhile, the Zim-Rwanda JPCC is set to engage on diplomatic matters which would enhance business co-operation and political solidarity for economic growth in the two countries.
