admin
Freeman Razemba Senior Reporter
THE Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) has received a donation of facilitation equipment from a Belarusian company, Bison Agro Machinery, in a move that underlines the growing relations between Zimbabwe and Belarus under the engagement and re-engagement drive.
The equipment was handed over to ACZ acting director airport operations, Mr Ronnie Masawi, by Bison Agro Machinery’s sales director Mr Andrei Kleinov, at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last week.
In an interview, Mr Kleinov said bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Belarus continued to strengthen.
“So far, Belarus and Zimbabwe together have done a lot, obviously with the great support of the Zimbabwean Government,” he said.
“We have launched phase 1 and 2 of the Agriculture Mechanisation Programme and we have brought 1 870 tractors to Zimbabwe from Belarus in order to distribute them to corporate and private farmers for mechanising of the farms and for increasing crop production and food security in the country.
“We not only cooperate with Zimbabwe in field supplies and agricultural machinery supplies, we also cooperate in the supply of fire tenders to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.”
Mr Kleinov said 131 firefighting trucks are being shipped to the country and they will be distributed to councils.
Zimbabwe and Belarus also cooperate in education and students have been invited to study there.
Bison is also into the exchange of knowledge and expertise, where Belarusian engineers offer training to local engineers on how to repair, maintain and operate supplied machinery.
Mr Kleinov said they also cooperate in the food industry as well as importing tobacco from Zimbabwe and exporting milk products from Belarus.
“And as we are now with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, I think it’s a good step forward for ACZ to start negotiations with Belavia (the Belarus flag carrier).
“We also have our air company in Belarus, so we are taking into account very close cooperation between Belarus and Zimbabwe.
“I think those air companies could find mutual ways of cooperation and some points where they can connect,” said Mr Kleinov.
On his part, Mr Masawi said the ACZ was grateful for the donation of airport facilitation equipment and accessories to be used at the country’s eight airports.
“We also hope that this cooperation and donation is going to create a long lasting relationship between ourselves and opportunities of engagement with Belarus and their airline as we see an increase in investment between Zimbabwe and Belarus.
“So, certainly we expect that there should be a direct link in terms of air travel between Zimbabwe and Belarus,” he said.
Zimbabwe has received about 2 000 high-tech tractors, 80 combine harvesters and other agricultural equipment from Belarus over the past three years to modernise the sector and boost productivity.
The equipment, which is now available in all the country’s districts, has been supplied at concessionary rates under phases 1 and 2 of the Belarus Farm Mechanisation Facility.
Under Phase 3, whose implementation has commenced, 4 000 more tractors are expected to be delivered, starting this year.
Online Reporter