Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Johannesburg, South Africa
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has called for a new phase of economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Africa anchored on joint investment, innovation and industrial development as the two countries seek to turn their economic ties into a stronger engine for regional growth.
Speaking at the Presidential Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Friday, President Mnangagwa said the two countries should move beyond traditional trade relations towards joint investment, research, innovation and development of high-impact projects.
He said Zimbabwe and South Africa were already closely interconnected through trade in machinery, technology, inputs, services and markets, providing a strong foundation for deeper economic cooperation.
“Some of the industrial solutions we require may already be sitting in the hands of our young people. This is where the relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa assumes even greater importance,” President Mnangagwa said.
“Our cooperation must not be limited to how much we sell to one another. We need to consider partnerships across the borders, that is, what we can do together.”
President Mnangagwa said the next phase of bilateral economic cooperation should focus on co-investment, joint research between universities, technological innovation driven by scientists and engineers and mobilisation of financiers to support regional high-impact priority projects.
He said such partnerships would enable businesses in both countries to expand their reach beyond the Zimbabwean and South African markets and contribute to the transformation of the wider Southern African region.
“Then, our businesses can use these partnerships to reach markets beyond Zimbabwe and South Africa. That is how a bilateral relationship begins to contribute to the transformation of an entire region,” he said.
The President said Government will continue providing political direction through the Bi-National Commission and other bilateral frameworks while creating an environment conducive to productive investment, technology transfer and commercialisation of innovation.
“At Government level, we will continue providing political direction through the Bi-National Commission and other frameworks,” he said.
“We will continue building an environment in which productive investment can thrive, technology can be exchanged, innovation can be commercialised and businesses can operate with confidence.”
President Mnangagwa also stressed the importance of regional cooperation through platforms such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union, saying the two countries had a shared responsibility to advance the economic interests of the region.
“As markets open, our producers must supply it. This is the partnership required between the State, the private sector, academia and our financial institutions,” he said.
The President said Zimbabwe and South Africa’s historic solidarity should now be translated into economic cooperation capable of strengthening the region’s productive capacity and self-reliance.
“Zimbabwe and South Africa have stood together at important moments in the history of Southern Africa. We have a responsibility to carry that solidarity into the economic development of our region,” he said.
President Mnangagwa invoked the national philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” as he called for a collective approach to regional development.
“Zimbabwe stands ready to continue working with South Africa, in a spirit of mutual respect, solidarity and shared benefit, towards a stronger, more self-reliant and industrialised Southern Africa,” he said.
