Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Pretoria, South Africa
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, will use the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) to review progress in implementing existing bilateral agreements and identify new opportunities to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
President Ramaphosa will host President Mnangagwa in Pretoria on Friday for the Heads of State session of the BNC, which has become the central mechanism for managing and advancing the strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the South African Presidency said the meeting would provide an opportunity for the two leaders to assess progress on bilateral commitments while identifying areas in which relations could be further strengthened.
“The Fourth Session will provide an opportunity for the two Heads of State to review progress in implementing existing bilateral commitments and to identify opportunities to further strengthen relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe,” the Presidency said.
The BNC was established in April 2015 and has since overseen the conclusion of more than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries across various areas of cooperation.
The Presidency said the forthcoming session would focus on deepening bilateral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, infrastructure and economic development.
It said the discussions would also cover other areas that contribute to shared growth and development between the neighbouring countries.
“The Session will culminate in the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at further expanding bilateral cooperation in strategic areas,” the Presidency said.
The Heads of State meeting will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting on Thursday which follows the Senior Officials Meeting of the Fourth Session of the BNC held on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The senior officials’ meeting marked the beginning of the current BNC process, with officials from the two countries preparing matters for consideration by the ministers and ultimately, the two Presidents.
“The Ministerial and Senior Officials Meetings serve to prepare matters for consideration by the two Heads of State,” the Presidency said.
The progression from senior officials’ engagements to the ministerial meeting and finally the Heads of State session is expected to provide a platform for the two governments to assess implementation of existing commitments and give political direction to areas requiring further cooperation.
The focus on trade, investment, infrastructure and economic development also places economic cooperation at the centre of the latest BNC, as Harare and Pretoria seek to build on the agreements and memoranda already concluded between the two countries.
The Heads of State engagements will be complemented by a South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum on Friday, bringing the private sector and business leaders into the broader bilateral cooperation process. The forum is expected to provide a platform for businesses from the two countries to explore trade and investment opportunities and strengthen economic linkages in line with the BNC’s focus on promoting shared growth and development.
President Ramaphosa and President Mnangagwa are expected to conclude the process on Friday with the signing of new agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
