Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Johannesburg, South Africa
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon ahead of Friday’s Heads of State Summit of the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), with economic diplomacy and strengthening bilateral trade expected to feature prominently on the agenda.
President Mnangagwa was welcomed at the Waterkloof Air Force Base by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa Lovemore Mazemo, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira and senior South African Government officials.
The President’s arrival comes as Zimbabwe and South Africa seek to move beyond diplomatic commitments towards practical economic cooperation, with the BNC placing emphasis on projects that will facilitate the movement of goods, services and people, attract investment and strengthen regional value chains.
A Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum being held on the margins of the BNC is expected to provide the private sector with a platform to translate Government-to-Government agreements into tangible commercial opportunities.
More than 70 Zimbabwean companies are expected to participate, representing sectors including agriculture, leather, logistics and services. The forum, coordinated by ZimTrade alongside its South African counterparts, will focus on trade facilitation, manufacturing, investment, industrial cooperation, transport and logistics.
The engagement comes against the backdrop of growing trade between the two countries. Zimbabwe exports significant volumes of goods to South Africa, while South Africa remains a major source of machinery, equipment and other inputs supporting Zimbabwe’s productive sectors.
The BNC is also expected to consider strategic infrastructure projects, including the proposed third bridge across the Limpopo River, which Zimbabwe wants developed alongside a one-stop border post to ease congestion and improve the movement of goods and people along the North-South Corridor.
The two countries are also pursuing cooperation in infrastructure, energy and water, including opportunities for Zimbabwe to supply water to South Africa’s Limpopo Province and other neighbouring provinces.
Friday’s summit between President Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, is expected to provide political direction to the bilateral relationship, including the signing of new agreements and memoranda of understanding.
