Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
CHEERS and ululations filled the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) yesterday as Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, alongside President Mnangagwa, toured the lively conference and exhibition centre in Bulawayo.
The trade showcase was buzzing with excitement as the two leaders made their way through halls packed with innovation, diplomacy, and a clear indication of regional growth to come.
President Chapo, with President Mnangagwa and ZITF Chairman Mr Busisa Moyo, started their tour in Hall 4, where big business mingled with diplomats.
Their first stops included the Geo Pomona Waste Management stand, the British and Japanese Embassies, ZimTrade, and the Belarusian pavilion. Company representatives and diplomats were keen to show off their latest gear.
President Chapo admired Belarusian farm equipment, highlighting the strong Zim-Belarus links.
Hall 5 was buzzing with ZANU PF’s small businesses and new tech. Party supporters outside cheered and sang as the two Presidents looked at community ventures.
The agriculture bit was lively too, with farmers showing off their crops and prized livestock. President Mnangagwa, himself a farmer, had a good chinwag with cattle breeders.
At the Zimbabwe Defence Forces stand, the Presidents charmed the crowds, especially President Mnangagwa who gave a young girl a crisp US$100 note, sparking cheers.
A heartfelt stop followed at Mozambique’s own pavilion. Afterwards, President Chapo told reporters about the need for increased trade and stronger economic ties between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, adding he was impressed with the innovations for economic growth.
“We want to talk about our economic relations, about our political relations, and above all we want to increase trade between our countries and our region. You know that we have the Beira corridor, and we have a pipeline from our port to Zimbabwe.
“We have railways, we have roads, but we want to export many things from Mozambique to Zimbabwe and we want to import many things from Zimbabwe to Mozambique. We want to increase our trading to grow our economies and to give a good life to our people,” said President Chapo.
He pointed out that having won political freedom, the next step was for both countries to work together towards economic freedom.
“We are here in Zimbabwe because we know that Mozambique is Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is Mozambique and we have historical relations with Zimbabwe. I think that our first challenge was political freedom and now that we achieved it, we now want to talk about economic freedom in our countries.
“That is why we are here, because I think that it is very important to be together, to be closer, to be united and to be stronger,” said President Chapo.
