Harare, 30 March 2022 (TDI): The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa; was the host of the Zimbabwe – Rwanda Trade and Investment Conference, on 28 March.
The Meikles Hotel received the Conference, which had the theme of “Explore, Invest, Export” started yesterday; and will end on 1 April. According to the Ministry of Information of Zimbabwe, Rwanda offers several opportunities to Zimbabwe in a range of areas.
Those areas are Horticulture, ICT, Textiles, Construction, Tourism, and the Agro-Processing sector. Mnangagwa stated that the Conference gives impetus to their common quest to strengthen their mutual programs and projects towards improving the standard and quality of life of the people of Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The President then reaffirmed the commitment of the government to create an environment that is conducive to business. That environment would include the expansion of economic cooperation, trade & investment.
Mnangagwa also reaffirmed that Zimbabwe stands ready to welcome investors and global capital from across all countries of the world. According to Mnangagwa, the government is moving quickly to deal with key aspects of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Furthermore, he remarked that included reviewing investment-related legislation and upgrading their borders into a one-stop border post. Another important aspect as mentioned by Mnangagwa is upgrading their airport facilities as well as road and rail.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESULTS OF THE CONFERENCE
Mnangagwa also mentioned the importance of exports for Zimbabwe, for their National Development Strategy 1; and to be able to realize sustainable economic growth. During the first session of the Conference, President Mnangagwa also witnessed the signature of three MoUs between the two countries.
The first MoU was the implementation agreement between Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and Rwanda Energy Group (REG). The second one was the memorandum of understanding between Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF); and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZESA).
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) organized the Conference, in reciprocity to last year’s conference in Kigali. This is because Zimbabwe and Rwanda seek to keep strengthening their economic ties.
Allan Majuru, Chief Executive of Zimbabwe’s export promotion agency, ZimTrade, stated before the start of the Conference that 100 Zimbabwean companies confirmed their participation.
The Rwandan Minister of Trade and Industry, Beatha Habyarimana, is leading the delegation of Rwanda; alongside the Minister of State in charge of the East Africa region in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Manasseh Nshuti.
Majuru then added that the delegation of Zimbabwe that traveled to Rwanda to be part of the conference had more than 80 private sector companies. According to Majuru, they were able to find several investment opportunities in both countries.
He also stated that during this Conference, the participants will seek to solidify and concretize some of the deals discussed in Rwanda. Majuru also mentioned that this is not the only goal, as the assistants will also seek to pave the way for future trade and investment opportunities.
ZIMBABWE-RWANDA BILATERAL RELATIONS
According to the Foreign Ministry of Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe and Rwanda established full diplomatic relations in October 2019 after consultations between President Mnangagwa and his counterpart Paul Kagame.
In September 2021, Zimbabwe commissioned an embassy building in Kigali; represented by Ambassador Charity Manyeruke. The Zimbabwean Foreign Affairs Minister, Frederick Shava, inaugurated the building.
Back then Shava mentioned that both countries were pleased with the opening of their embassies. Some months earlier, Rwanda hosted the Inaugural Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation. According to Shava, there both signed six legal instruments and other agreements.
