adminCletus Mushanawani in TETE, Mozambique
ZIMBABWE is implementing tariff liberalisation to open the economy and trade with other member States and has also applied for relaxation to be exempted from implementing tariff reductions on several goods due to challenges being faced by the local business community.
This was said by Zimbabwe Ambassador to Mozambique, Ambassador Dr Victor Matemadanda in a speech read on his behalf by the country’s Consular General in Beira, Mr Stephen Kudarawanda during the ZimTrade’s Outward Trade Seller Mission to Tete Province of Mozambique yesterday.
Ambassador Matemadanda urged the business community to take advantage of the regional and continental trade agreements to market their products and services.
“As we deliberate, let us engage to find solutions on how our products will be transported at a competitive cost without border hassles. Our Government officials should be able to resolve any potential trading challenges so that our bilateral trade continues to grow.
“Mozambique is Zimbabwe’s all-weather friend and a very important strategic location and lifeline for Zimbabwe’s economy. Our countries are both members of the Common for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These trade agreements allow us to trade with each other duty free and quota free on non-sensitive and exclusive products,” said Ambassador Matemadanda.
He added: “The Zimbabwean Government is implementing tariff liberalisation to open the economy and trade with other member States and has also applied for relaxation to be exempted from implementing tariff reductions on several products due to challenges being faced by the local business communities.”
The 2023 Tete Trade Mission follows the successful hosting of a similar mission in Chimoio, Manica Province. During that mission, companies from both nations managed to seal deals that have culminated into trade of goods and services among the two countries.
Trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique increased by 80.7 percent between January and April 2023, compared to the same period last year from US$58 million to US$106 million, making Mozambique the country’s fourth largest export market.
The growth in trade with Mozambique also points to successes recorded by National Export Strategy, whose target also include diversifying export markets, which will help address challenges that may arise because of over reliance on South Africa.
To further cement trade between the two sister nations, in May, ZimTrade and Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) organised a business forum alongside a State visit by the Mozambican President, Dr Filipe Nyusi.
The objectives of the forum were to help Zimbabwean and Mozambican markets to boost trade and investment among themselves as well as increase trade between the two countries.
During the business forum, President Mnangagwa called for increased trade with Mozambique through strategic synergies between the two countries’ private sectors.
It was in line with President Mnangagwa’s clarion call for increased trade between the two countries that resulted in the facilitation of the ZimTrade Outward Trade Seller Mission to Tete.
“President Mnangagwa also called for the two nations to deepen their trade ties through Accelerating Trade and Investment. This was further stressed by President Nyusi who advised that there is need to fully exploit the in-trade and strengthen the ties between the two nations.
“In 2022, President Mnangagwa visited Mozambique at the invitation of President Nyusi which was premised on the solid relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, but most importantly it is the commitment by Zimbabwe to capacitate Mozambique post the current challenges in Cabo Delgado, where Zimbabwe, among other SADC countries, has taken the responsibility to capacitate the Mozambican Defence Forces so that they hold their ground and stop any future spread of terrorism,” said Ambassador Matemadanda.
He assured delegates of the embassy’s continued support in addressing issues affecting bilateral trade between the two countries.
“I implore you to come up strategies to strengthen our bilateral trade by flagging trade and investment opportunities that exist in both countries. It is worth nothing that there are business strategies, customer strategies and market strategies that can be used in order to harness the full potential of our nations,” he said.
Tete Provincial Governor, Mr Domingos Viola hailed the Presidents of both countries for creating an enabling environment for trade and business to flourish between the two countries.
“We want to thank President Nyusi for creating a conducive environment for business and trade growth through maintaining peace. This has resulted in the recent closing of the last Renamo base in Sofala Province. I would like to appreciate the efforts of businesspeople from Zimbabwe who have made an effort to come and create synergies with local businesses. Recently, there was a visit of our President to Zimbabwe where issues to maintain good commerce, trade and political relationships between Zimbabwe and Mozambique were discussed. This business forum will cement the relationship in trade between the two countries.
This forum will also cement the relationship between the two countries dating back to the liberation struggles of both countries.
“As the Tete leadership, we want to reaffirm our commitment and availability to facilitate trade and business between our two nations in areas of tourism, agriculture and other sectors as well. We have a lot to learn from our brothers and sisters from Zimbabwe because most of the products they brought here for exhibition are finished products. We would like to appeal to our businesspeople here in Tete to learn from their Zimbabwean counterparts as they have the potential to add value to locally available resources and goods,” he said.
State Secretary for Tete Province, Madam Elias Zacarias hailed the Tete Outward Seller Trade Mission, saying this will improve the entrepreneurial capacity of businesses from both countries and increase direct investment.
“In recent years, we have noticed an increase in commercial activities between countries in the region, especially in Southern Africa. This calls for cordial relationships between member countries to ensure their development. The event taking place today is a unique opportunity to analyse the performance of local business activities and also there to exchange experiences in searching solutions to overcome challenges businesses face. This trade platform is there to cement economic and political relationships between Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” she said.
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