Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom have pledged to boost trade relations through a series of collaborative initiatives aimed at unlocking mutual economic growth. This commitment was reaffirmed at the Zimbabwe-United Kingdom Business Forum held in Harare yesterday, where both countries explored new pathways for strengthening economic ties.
The forum, organized by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in partnership with the British Embassy, served as a platform for dialogue on the potential for increased bilateral trade. At the heart of the discussions was the recently ratified Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, which is expected to facilitate duty-free and quota-free access for goods from Zimbabwe and other Eastern and Southern African states to the UK market. The EPA has been hailed as a landmark agreement that opens the door to expanding and diversifying trade between the two countries.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christian Katsande, emphasized that the forum marked the beginning of a new era in Zimbabwe-UK relations.
"This forum is a testament to the determination and commitment from both sides to enrich the partnership between our two nations, we anticipate a substantial upsurge in trade as the trade agreement between the two countries is effectively enforced. This strategic move will balance trade interests and foster mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities.
“Under the terms of the EPA, the United Kingdom committed to providing immediate duty-free access to goods from Zimbabwe, a move that aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1, which seeks to increase exports of diversified and value-added goods to global markets. This agreement is also seen as a significant step towards achieving Zimbabwe's ambitious goal of growing exports by 10% annually to reach US$14 billion by 2030,” Katsande said.
The UK’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pete Vowles, highlighted the importance of leveraging this agreement to drive economic growth for both nations.
"The UK is looking to be the fastest-growing G7 country by 2029, and Zimbabwe aims to be a middle-income country by 2030, there is an opportunity for a win-win for the mutual prosperity at the core of a modern society for both countries," said Ambassador Vowles.
“United Kingdom is prepared to assist Zimbabwean businesses to increase their export capabilities. In 2023 the two countries reached 609 million in 2023 but more can still be done if we can discover the best of what Zimbabwe can offer,” Vowles added.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Permanent Secretary Albert Chimbindi lauded the long history of strong economic ties with the United Kingdom.
“Zimbabwe enjoys a long history of economic trade with UK built on shared values and mutual respect. These relations, which had declined to sub-optimal levels over the past two decades, call for wider engagements within the framework of Government-to-Government cooperation." Mr. Chimbindi said.
Mr. Chimbindi emphasized the importance of the Government-to-Government framework in driving this renewed engagement, noting that both countries have much to gain from revitalized partnerships.
“We believe that by reinforcing our engagements through structured dialogues, agreement like the EPA and targeted business forums, we can restore and surpass the levels of cooperation we once enjoyed,” he added.
ZimTrade chief executive officer Allan Majuru also spotlighted the untapped potential in diversifying Zimbabwe’s export portfolio to the UK.
“Currently, Zimbabwe’s exports to the UK are dominated by horticultural products such as coffee, flowers, vegetables, fresh fruits, and nuts. However, there is growing interest in expanding into other sectors, including blueberries, macadamia nuts, citrus, and arts and crafts,” Majuru pointed out.
The outcomes of the Zimbabwe-UK Business Forum reflect a growing recognition that international partnerships can be leveraged for sustainable development, driving not only economic growth but also fostering long-term stability and prosperity. As both nations move forward, the focus will likely remain on translating agreements into tangible benefits for businesses and communities on both sides of the trade corridor.
