Minister Mhona holds bilateral meeting with Türkiye counterpart

Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona on Wednesday held bilateral talks with his Turkey counterpart Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries in terms of the transport industry
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the International Road Federation (IRF) World Congress 2024 being held in Istanbul.
Minister Mhona applauded Minister Uraloğlu for the invitation to attend the International Road Federation World Congress.
“You have successfully organised the International Road Federation World Congress which tackles contemporary global issues in the Transport Industry,” he said.

He also conveyed deep condolences to the people of the Republic of Türkiye and the victims of the February 2023 earthquake.

“We applaud you for the massive rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts that have resulted in life returning to normal in the affected regions,” he said.
“We commend the excellent bilateral relations existing between Zimbabwe and Türkiye. The relationship is important in that it strengthens our solidarity in the economic spheres.

“We express Zimbabwe’s readiness to extend that cooperation with Türkiye at the international level through organisations like ICAO, Inland Transport Committee, IRF, and many more,.”

He said Zimbabwe as SADC chair can play a pivotal role in promoting business between SADC and Turkish companies.
“We wish to compliment Türkiye for modernising its transport and infrastructure system and note that Zimbabwe wishes to learn from Türkiye’s experiences in developing the sector.

“We note that the conclusion of the Memoranda of Understanding between Zimbabwe and Türkiye on Cooperation on Transport will play a pivotal role in enhancing the bilateral relations.

“This will give impetus to the National Railways of Zimbabwe’s proposed programme with Turkish State Railways (TCDD) through their MoU on Improving Cooperation in the Railways Sector signed in 2021.”

He also expressed hope that TCDD would visit Zimbabwe soon to assess NRZ training needs as agreed in their bilateral meeting in December 2023 in Ankara.
“We observe that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Türkiye and Zimbabwe came into force in 2017 and express the hope that Turkish Airlines would commence flights to Zimbabwe soon,” Minister Mhona said.
“We express our commitment to facilitate the airline to fly to either Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.”