Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike in Luanda, Angola
ZIMBABWE’S Ambassador to Angola, Thando Madzvamuse, has called on Zimbabweans to capitalise on the strong and cordial bilateral relations between Harare and Luanda by exporting surplus agricultural produce and other products to the Southern African nation.
Speaking from Angola, Ambassador Madzvamuse said Zimbabweans should leverage the historic ties and favourable diplomatic environment to explore trade opportunities in the country.
He said Angola, with a population of about 37 million, imports nearly half of its consumables, including agricultural goods.
“I would like to point out the fact that Zimbabwe and Angola have very strong bilateral relations,” he said.
“As you would be aware, our relations date back to the days when Zimbabwe was fighting for its liberation, when Angola assisted us in providing us training camps, for example, material and moral support.
“Here in Angola, we had two training camps, one in the Moxico Province, that is the training camp which was bombarded by the Rhodesians in 1979, in February, and after the bombardment, the cadres who were undergoing training advised that they were moved further up north to Malanje province.
“So, based on the support we got from the Angolans, the relationships between the two countries have been quite excellent. Being SADC sister republics, having experienced the same challenges when we were fighting for our liberation, we have so much which binds the two sister countries.”
Ambassador Madzvamuse noted that the two nations, as sister republics in the SADC region, share a liberation war history and common aspirations, making cooperation in areas such as agriculture and trade more viable.
He said that a second Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation was held in Angola last year, resulting in the signing of 11 Memoranda of Understanding across social and economic sectors.
“We have good relations, as I indicated. You may want to know that recently, only last year, we had our second joint permanent cooperation, which was held here in Angola, and we came up with a number of memoranda of understanding, I think 11 of them, across all the economic sectors and social sectors as well, cooperation in culture, cooperation in agriculture, and all other sectors you might think of,” he said.
Ambassador Madzvamuse said that the Portuguese language should not deter Zimbabwean traders and entrepreneurs from engaging with Angola, pointing to successful trade by countries with no historical or linguistic ties.
“I have always insisted that we should not see language as a barrier. If we have people coming from far afield, like China, for example,” he said.
“I am trying to urge Zimbabweans that let us not see Portuguese as a barrier to cooperation, be it in particular economic cooperation which is the main reason why we are here, making use of our bilateral cooperation.
“We must enhance our bilateral cooperation in the economic sector.”
Online Reporter