DRC, Zim to establish Joint Trade, Customs Committee

and Customs Committee to promote trade and address issues that affect business between the two countries.
The agreement was reached at the Second Session of the Zimbabwe/DRC Joint Commission held in Lubumbashi last week.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi represe-nted Zimbabwe at the meeting attended by DRC’s International and Regional Co-operation Minister Raymond N’tungamulongo.
In a Joint Communique released after the meeting, the two countries agreed to promote trade and further enhance their relations.
“The Commission noted that there is immense potential to increase trade between the two countries. In this regard, they agreed to establish a Joint Trade and Customs Committee to promote trade and address issues that impede trade.
“The Commission agreed to support and promote co-operation between Small and Medium Enterprises given their role in trade.”
Zimbabwe and the DRC agreed to expeditiously ratify legal frameworks to facilitate business excha-nges to reduce the cost of business transactions.
These include the Preferential Trade Agreement, the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Standards and the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.
“The Commission noted that co-operation in the energy sector was proceeding well and welcomed the signing of the new Power Supply Agreement between the Zimbabwe Electricity Authority and SNEL. The Commission further welcomed co-operation between the two countries under the Inga Hydro Power Project.”
The Commission welcomed the DRC’s assumption of the Kimberley Process Certification Sche-me chairmanship.
It agreed to strengthen co-operation in the mining sector through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Mining, Geo-logy and Metallurgy.
Zimbabwe and DRC further ag-reed on proposals to enhance co-operation in the agriculture sector and urged the relevant agencies to speed up implementation of joint venture projects.
The Commission observed with satisfaction co-operation in air, road and rail transport and called on the relevant authorities to address any operational issues inhibiting co-operation.
It also agreed on measures to enhance co-operation in the social sectors of health, education, sports and culture among others.
In his address, Minister Mumbengegwi recognised DRC’s unwavering support and solidarity with Zimbabwe in the face of illegal Western sanctions.
“Our two countries are bound together by a common history of struggles to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity and indeed our destines are inextricably linked.
“The convening of this Joint Commission is an affirmation of the great importance our two countries attach to strengthening our political and socio-economic ties,” Minister Mumbengegwi said.
He called for the unconditional removal of sanctions saying the illegal embargo has denied Zimbabwe access to credit lines, balance of payments support and development financing becoming the biggest obstacle in turning around the economy.