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Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
VICE President Kembo Mohadi yesterday said trade between Zimbabwe and India should be up-scaled to unlock underutilised potential.
Speaking during a courtesy call by Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Bramha Kumar at Munhumutapa Offices in Harare today, VP Mohadi said Zimbabwe and India have vast trade opportunities which should be fully exploited.
“Zimbabwe is grateful for the developmental assistance, technical cooperation and donations provided by the Government of India as well as investments by Indian companies in various sectors,” he said.
“However, despite cordial political relations and increased bilateral cooperation, the current levels of trade between the two countries are very low and are not commensurate with the vast potential that exists on both sides. Therefore, there is a need for joint efforts towards improving trade relations.”
VP Mohadi also said Zimbabwe requested India’s support for re-admission into the Commonwealth, membership of the New Development Bank of the BRICS and candidature for a Non-Permanent Seat at the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027-28.
“I recall that the two countries had entered into a reciprocal support arrangement, where India would support Zimbabwe’s bid, while Zimbabwe supports India’s candidature for the period ranging (2028-29),” he said.
Speaking after he met with the Vice President, Amb Kumar said the two nations had trading links dating back to the Middle Ages and after the liberation of Zimbabwe.
Ambassador Kumar said they have cooperated “very well” and the concern now which is raised by both governments is that of enhancing bilateral trade and commerce and also investments.
“It is not going beyond 200 million dollars per year which should be enhanced and to identify this recently we had a joint trade committee meeting between the two countries,” he said.
Ambassador Kumar said they are discussing how to get some umbrella agreement which can boost bilateral trades and sectors which have been identified as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, mining, and SME including capacity building in these sectors.
He said discussions are ongoing to have a robust framework and institutional mechanism to support each other so that business is motivated.
Amb Kumar said an Indian business delegation that was in the country days back had expressed keen interest in starting operations in Zimbabwe.
The delegation comprised of companies like agriculture, agricultural technology, food processing, solar-related equipment for agriculture, food processing, refrigeration and irrigation.
“So those are the things where we are discussing and some of the Indian business delegation members were quite upbeat on peaceful being Zimbabwe a very peaceful society and peaceful country.
“So, they are encouraged to see the environment and they are looking for local partners if they can find they will be starting their business very soon in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Ambassador Kumar said apart from the economic front India and Zimbabwe have that common thread which binds them.
“We have done a lot to promote a global south and under South-South cooperation, we have extended very good support to each other not only on bilateral, but also on multilateral forums United Nations and on other international issues also.”
Online Reporter