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Trust Freddy, Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWEAN and Ugandan business communities are upbeat about the launch of direct flights from Entebbe to Harare by Uganda Airlines, anticipating a significant boost to bilateral trade and economic growth.
This came out yesterday during the Uganda-Zimbabwe Trade and Business Forum in Harare where key stakeholders said the new route would help the two countries’ economies.
Running under the theme, “Boosting trade and investment opportunities between Zimbabwe and Uganda”, the forum brought together top Government officials and business leaders from both nations.
The head of the Ugandan delegation and deputy secretary to the Treasury, Mr Patrick Ocailap, expressed optimism for significant trade.
“I know you have a vast potential for tourism here, which also is the same for Uganda. But we can make a very big business sense by investing in each other’s countries in terms of offering hotel and room accommodation.
“And we make a circuit of tourists coming to Zimbabwe and to Uganda and be able to stay longer in any of the two countries’ tourist destinations.”
The coming of Ugandan Airlines, said Mr Ocailap, would allow investors to explore opportunities even in the mining sector. Since the two countries were well endowed with mineral resources, the two can create synergies in crowding funds for mineral beneficiation.
“You are a well-educated population and we are equally educated. But now, how do we get the capital to come into mineral beneficiation and add on to the beneficiation? Expand the export of minerals, which are processed not only between our countries, but the diaspora in Africa and the rest of the world. That’s the way we are going to make money because of this trade.”
In a speech read on his behalf, Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi encouraged Ugandans to explore opportunities, share knowledge, and form lasting partnerships.
“Both Zimbabwe and Uganda have vast potential for trade and investment, particularly in the agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacturing sectors,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by chief director, economic co-operation, international trade and diaspora Mrs Rudo Faranisi.
“Zimbabwe is forging ahead with its industrialisation drive, making use of both local and external talent and resources.”
Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Charles Tavengwa said:”The new flights will go a long way in cementing our people-to-people and business-to-business ties for the mutual growth in all spheres of our political, economic and social development between the two countries.
“This business forum is a testament to our commitment in consolidating bilateral co-operation for mutual economic benefit.”
ZimTrade director of operations, Mr Similo Nkala, was optimistic about the blended marketing saying it would open a lot of opportunities.
“I think the opening up of this route will go a long way in terms of making it easier for our producers to take their products to the market.
“The issue of logistics has been a problem and I think it will boost inter-Africa trade which currently stands at 16 percent, which is very low.”
Uganda’s Sheema Municipality legislator Dickson Kateshumbwa emphasised the vast potential for Zimbabwe and Uganda to boost their tourism sectors through collaboration.
“Zimbabwe is a perfect tourism destination,” he said. “With Uganda’s renowned mountain gorillas housing half of the global population, and Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls, increased interconnectivity allows us to merge our markets. Tourists can now seamlessly explore Victoria Falls and then connect to Uganda to witness the majestic gorillas.”
Online Reporter