Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Pretoria, South Africa
ZIMBABWE and South Africa yesterday commenced the 4th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC), with the two countries seeking to deepen cooperation across key sectors including politics, trade, infrastructure, energy, migration and security, while prioritising high-impact projects aimed at boosting investment, trade and regional integration.
The four-day commission, which will culminate in a Heads of State Summit between President Mnangagwa and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, is also expected to unlock new business opportunities and further strengthen economic relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Senior officials from Zimbabwe and South Africa yesterday began deliberations on a broad range of bilateral, regional, continental and international issues, with a strong focus on projects capable of delivering tangible benefits and improving the movement of goods, services and people between the two countries.
The senior officials’ session was co-chaired by South Africa’s Deputy Director-General in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, and
Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi.
Amb Chimbindi said the long-standing and strategic relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa required a practical approach centred on transformative projects.
“South Africa is more than just our neighbour in terms of the way geography has placed us. It is our biggest trading partner with a lot of our nationals in South Africa and our destinies are inseparable,” he said.
Amb Chimbindi said the two countries share common values, cultural ties and development challenges.
“So, we have to work together with South Africa. We have agreed that what we want to do now is to concentrate on fewer projects, high-impact priority projects that really would change the relationship, enable trade to flow between our two countries,” he said.
Among the flagship projects being discussed is the proposed construction of a third bridge across the Limpopo River, which Zimbabwe wants developed into a one-stop border post to facilitate trade and ease the movement of travellers and cargo.
Amb Chimbindi said the project was critical not only for Zimbabwe and South Africa but also for the wider Southern African region because of its location along the North-South Corridor.
“The North-South Corridor is key. It is the most important artery for most of the countries in the region. We are working to make sure that the third bridge that is supposed to be built along the
Limpopo River is constructed. We also want to make sure that the third bridge is upgraded to a one-stop border post to facilitate trade not only between South Africa and Zimbabwe, but mainly for the benefit of the entire region.”
Amb Chimbindi said the project dovetails with broader regional and continental infrastructure programmes being pursued under the African union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Water cooperation is also expected to feature prominently during the commission, with Zimbabwe exploring opportunities to supply water to South Africa’s Limpopo Province and other neighbouring areas.
The senior officials are further expected to review reports from various sectoral committees and assess progress made in implementing resolutions adopted during previous BNC sessions.
Their deliberations will pave the way for the Council of Ministers meeting tomorrow, which will be co-chaired by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira.
The ministers are expected to consider committee reports and finalise agreed minutes and related documents ahead of the Heads of State Summit.
Economic cooperation is set to receive a further boost on Friday when South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition hosts the South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum on the sidelines of the BNC at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
The forum, which forms part of the official BNC programme, will be addressed by Presidents Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa and is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties through enhanced engagement between governments and the private sector.
It will focus on increasing trade, facilitating investment, strengthening industrial cooperation and fostering sustainable commercial partnerships between businesses from the two countries.
The forum will also provide stakeholders with an opportunity to address practical constraints affecting trade and investment, including transport and logistics challenges, while exploring ways of strengthening regional value chains.
Key discussion areas will include transport and logistics connectivity, regional value-chain development, collaboration between industrial and special economic zones, manufacturing, technology transfer and capital equipment.
The forum comes as Zimbabwe seeks to deepen economic engagement with South Africa while promoting increased trade in goods and services and greater participation by businesses from both countries.
Amb Chimbindi said the private sector remained central to translating bilateral agreements into real economic outcomes.
“While we set the environment as governments, it is business that provides the goods and services that are required,” he said.
Amb Chimbindi said 71 Zimbabwean companies had confirmed participation in the forum, with ZimTrade co-ordinating Zimbabwe’s involvement alongside its South African counterparts.
In a statement, South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said the forum demonstrates the commitment of both governments to expanding economic cooperation and creating opportunities for businesses.
He said South Africa and Zimbabwe continue to enjoy strong economic and commercial relations that contribute significantly to regional growth and development.
“The Business Forum provides an important platform for government and the private sector to engage on practical measures aimed at increasing bilateral trade, facilitating investment and fostering industrial cooperation that delivers mutual benefit to both countries,” said Minister Tau.
He said stronger partnerships between South African and Zimbabwean companies would help build resilient regional value chains and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance intra-African trade, promote value-added production and improve the competitiveness of our industries.
“Through engagements such as this Business Forum, we seek to create new commercial opportunities that support inclusive economic growth, industrial development and sustainable job creation across the region,” Minister Tau said.
Amb Chimbindi said Zimbabwe’s engagement with South Africa was guided by the “Neighbourhood First Principle”, which prioritises stronger economic and diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries.
“His Excellency the President has guided us that we will practice what we call the Neighbourhood First Principle, where we make sure that we improve and deepen relations with our neighbours as our first port of call,” he said.
The BNC will conclude on Friday with the Heads of State Summit, during which Presidents Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa are expected to hold bilateral talks and consider recommendations from the ministerial session.
The two leaders are also expected to adopt agreed minutes, witness the signing of memoranda of understanding and other bilateral agreements, and issue a joint communiqué outlining the key outcomes of the commission.
“While we set the environment as Governments, it is business that provides the goods and services that are required,” he said.
Amb Chimbindi said 71 Zimbabwean companies had confirmed participation in the forum, with ZimTrade co-ordinating Zimbabwe’s involvement alongside its South African counterparts.
In a statement, South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said the forum demonstrates the commitment of both Governments to expanding economic co-operation and creating opportunities for businesses.
He said South Africa and Zimbabwe continue to enjoy strong economic and commercial relations that contribute significantly to regional growth and development.
“The Business Forum provides an important platform for Government and the private sector to engage on practical measures aimed at increasing bilateral trade, facilitating investment and fostering industrial cooperation that delivers mutual benefit to both countries,” said Minister Tau.
He said stronger partnerships between South African and Zimbabwean companies would help build resilient regional value chains and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance intra-African trade, promote value-added production and improve the competitiveness of our industries.
“Through engagements such as this Business Forum, we seek to create new commercial opportunities that support inclusive economic growth, industrial development and sustainable job creation across the region,” Minister Tau said.
Amb Chimbindi said Zimbabwe’s engagement with South Africa was guided by the “Neighbourhood First Principle”, which prioritises stronger economic and diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries.
“His Excellency the President has guided us that we will practice what we call the Neighbourhood First Principle, where we make sure that we improve and deepen relations with our neighbours as our first port of call,” he said.
The BNC will conclude on Friday with the Heads of State Summit, during which Presidents Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa are expected to hold bilateral talks and consider recommendations from the ministerial session.
The two leaders are also expected to adopt agreed minutes, witness the signing of memoranda of understanding and other bilateral agreements, and issue a joint communiqué outlining the key outcomes of the commission.
