admin
Cletus Mushanawani recently in TETE, Mozambique
BUSINESSES have been urged to take advantage of the good political relations, no visa requirements and the proximity of Zimbabwe and Mozambique to ensure economic prosperity of the two nations.
This emerged during the ZimTrade Outward Seller Mission to Tete which ran from Tuesday to Friday last week as Zimbabwean companies were engaging with Mozambican Government officials and potential partners to enhance trade between the two sister nations.
The Second Republic’s economic diplomacy agenda, designed to unlock value from Zimbabwe’s good political relations with the rest of the world, continue to bear positive fruits.
Trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique has been on a growth trajectory over the past few years and the neighbouring country is now the fourth largest export market for Zimbabwe.
According to the Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZimStat), trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique increased by 80.7 percent between January and April 2023, that is from US$58 million to US$106 million.
Zimbabwe exports ferro-alloys, nickel ores and concentrates, tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, cigarettes, granite, porphyry, basalt, sandstone, chrome ore concentrates, sugar, macadamia nuts and other products to Mozambique.
She imports soya bean oil, petroleum oils, electrical energy, mineral or chemical fertiliser, pasta, rice, palm oil, tubes and hollow profiles from her neighbor.
The growth in trade with Mozambique also points to successes recorded by the National Export Strategy whose target also include diversifying export markets.
In May, Zimbabwe made significant strides towards increasing trade with Mozambique following a successful State visit by President Filipe Nyusi.
During the visit, several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.
ZimTrade signed an MOU with its Mozambican counterparts, with the aim of increasing trade relations and exploring trade potential.
Speaking during the Outward Seller Mission to Tete, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Dr Victor Matemadanda who was represented by the country’s Consular General in Beira, Mr Stephen Kudarawanda, 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 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.
State Secretary for Tete Province, Madame Elias Zacarias said the ZimTrade Outward Seller Mission to her province will enhance trade opportunities and provides a platform to address the private sector’s challenges.
“This trade mission is also a platform for the continued strengthening of the historical, political, friendship and even family ties between our two countries as we take a step towards increasing business and economic relations.
“It is important to mention that Tete Province borders with Zimbabwe through the districts of Changara, Cahora Bassa and Mágoè, and most of these districts have great economic potential in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, mineral resources, hotels and tourism.
“On the other hand, Tete Province constitutes an access corridor to the other neighboring countries, signatories of bilateral and multilateral commercial protocols.
“In fact, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have bilateral agreements in force for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, as well as Customs exemption on goods with Certificate of Origin,” said Madame Zacaris.
She added: “It is also important to mention that Mozambique, particularly the Province of Tete, in recent years, has registered an increase of traders from Zimbabwe who practice various activities, from formal to informal.
“There is also a growing trend of exports from Tete Province to Zimbabwe, mainly of products such as dried fish (kapenta) and cotton, among others, as dictated by demand and supply,” she 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 Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
“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 business people 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 trade relationship between the two countries. It 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. 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 appeal to the business people 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.
ZimTrade Operations Director, Mr Similo Nkala said the focus on Tete was meant to unlock opportunities, which will make it easy for local companies to land products in that market.
“The Tete Province, being a mining town in proximity to Zimbabwe, offers lucrative opportunities for local companies to expand their trade in mining supplies and other sectors.
“As such, this province presents huge trade opportunities and potential which we intended to tap into during this outward trade mission for increased business collaboration between Zimbabwe and Mozambique,” said Mr Nkala.
Online Reporter