Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
THE United Arab Emirates is opening up opportunities for Zimbabwean agricultural, horticultural and manufactured products, with local businesses being urged to look beyond minerals and tap into growing demand in the Gulf market.
Zimbabwe exported goods worth US$1,4 billion to the UAE between January and March this year, while bilateral trade exceeded US$5 billion last year and is expected to surpass US$6 billion this year.
Zimbabwean Business Council chairman Mr Simba Makahamadze said there was strong demand for products beyond gold and diamonds.
“UAE is becoming arguably the biggest export market or a destination for Zimbabwe products,” he said.
“But what we need to look at is products outside the minerals. There are a lot of products within manufacturing, fisheries and agriculture that are not yet destined (for the market), but the demand is still high.”
Mr Makahamadze said exporters needed to meet UAE standards and certification requirements while increasing production to satisfy demand.
“One of the challenges our private sector seems to be facing is inability to deliver products in volumes,” he said.
ZNCC chief executive officer Mr Christopher Mugaga said the UAE’s reliance on imports created opportunities for Zimbabwean agro-processed and beef products.
“UAE literally imports everything. What they only have is the oil,” he said.
Meanwhile, DFP World Group chief executive officer Mr Matin Agha Mohammadi Saluth said the company was considering stocking selected Zimbabwean products, including locally produced gin, in its airport retail operations.
DFP World, which operates airport lounges at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Victoria Falls Airport, is also planning to invest about US$20 million in Zimbabwe over the next five years.
Mr Saluth said the investment was expected to create between 60 and 70 direct jobs.
The developments come as Zimbabwe seeks to expand its exports beyond minerals and deepen economic ties with the UAE.
