adminHarare — Air Zimbabwe must consider introducing flights to East Africa, particularly South Sudan, and make the most of the potential that exists in the region, the country’s trading facilitation body.
According to ZimTrade, this is the most opportune time to explore the opportunities in the continent’s newest country, which is keen for trade and with 75 percent of its needs being exports.
ZimTrade operations director Rongai Chizema said Air Zimbabwe must thus consider weekly flights to South Sudan.
“Right now Kenya and Uganda are maximisisng on the Juba market. Zimbabwe must do the same.
“The population in the country has been growing and they need more goods which Zimbabwe is producing,” he said.
Local businesses must therefore push Air Zimbabwe to fly to the country so that it carries more cargo, according to the ZimTrade executive.
Business opportunities have been growing in South Sudan, he added.
“SABMiller took a risk to invest in the country in 2005 when the country was still part of Sudan and it has grown its market share in the country by more than 75 percent.
“As such local business must also take the risk and invest in such countries,” added Chizema.
Air Zimbabwe meanwhile is still struggling to remain afloat due to decades of financial mismanagement and misappropriation.
The airline has subsequently cut some of its international routes.
Apart from servicing a few local routes, Air Zimbabwe only flies to Johannesburg in South Africa and London in the United Kingdom.
It has shelved plans to fly to Nigeria and China because of viability challenges. — AllAfrica.com
Online Reporter