Zim, SA target high-impact projects

Nduduzo Tshuma in PRETORIA, South Africa

ZIMBABWE and South Africa yesterday began the Fourth Session of their Bi-National Commission, with the two countries seeking to deepen cooperation across the political, economic, infrastructure, energy, migration, and security sectors, while prioritising high-impact projects to drive trade, investment and regional integration.

The four-day BNC, which culminates in a Heads of State summit between President Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, is also expected to unlock new business opportunities and strengthen bilateral economic ties.

Senior officials from the two countries yesterday began deliberations on a wide range of bilateral, regional, continental and global issues with particular emphasis on projects that can deliver tangible benefits and improve the movement of goods, services and people between the two neighbours.

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 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi.

Amb Chimbindi said the depth of relations between the two countries demanded a practical approach focused on projects capable of transforming bilateral cooperation.

“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. Our destinies are inseparable. We share the same culture, we share the same values and the same challenges. So, we have to work together with South Africa,” he said.

“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.”

Among the key projects under discussion is the proposed third bridge across the Limpopo River, which Zimbabwe wants to see constructed and upgraded into a one-stop border post to ease the movement of goods and people.

Amb Chimbindi said the project was important not only to Zimbabwe and South Africa, but to the wider region because of its strategic position 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,” he  said.

“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.”

He said the project was also aligned with regional and continental infrastructure initiatives, including programmes under the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Water cooperation is another area expected to feature prominently, with Zimbabwe exploring opportunities to supply water to South Africa’s Limpopo Province and other neighbouring provinces.

The senior officials are also expected to consider reports from various committees and review progress in implementing decisions taken during previous BNC sessions.

Their deliberations will pave the way for the Council of Ministers meeting tomorrow, to 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 will receive reports from the committees and finalise the agreed minutes and other documents for consideration at the summit.

Economic cooperation will receive a major boost on Friday when South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition hosts the South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum on the margins of the BNC at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The forum, which forms part of the official BNC programme, will be addressed by Presidents Ramaphosa and Mnangagwa and is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations by bringing government and the private sector together.

It will focus on opportunities to expand bilateral trade, facilitate investment, strengthen industrial cooperation and establish sustainable commercial partnerships between businesses in the two countries.

The forum will also provide a platform to address practical barriers to trade and investment, including trade facilitation, transport and logistics, while exploring opportunities to strengthen regional value chains.

Key areas of discussion will include transport and logistics connectivity, regional value-chain development, cooperation between industrial and special economic zones, manufacturing, technology transfer and capital equipment.

The forum comes as Zimbabwe seeks to deepen its economic engagement with South Africa while promoting the movement of goods and services and greater participation by businesses in both countries.

Amb Chimbindi said the private sector had an important role to play in translating government-to-government agreements into tangible economic activity.

“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 indicated that they would participate in the forum, with ZimTrade coordinating the country’s participation with its South African counterparts.

South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said the forum reflected the commitment of both governments to strengthening economic cooperation and creating new opportunities for businesses.

“South Africa and Zimbabwe enjoy longstanding economic and commercial relations that continue to contribute 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,” Minister Tau said in a statement.

He said stronger partnerships between South African and Zimbabwean businesses would help build more resilient regional value chains and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“The dtic remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance intra-African trade, promote value-added production and improve the competitiveness of our industries,” Minister Tau said.

“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.”

Amb Chimbindi said Zimbabwe’s approach was guided by the “Neighbourhood First Principle,” under which the country seeks to deepen economic and diplomatic relations with neighbouring states as a priority.

“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 culminate in the Heads of State summit on Friday, when Presidents Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa are expected to hold bilateral talks and consider recommendations from the ministerial session.

The two leaders are expected to adopt the agreed minutes, witness the signing of memoranda of understanding and other agreements.

They will also issue a joint communiqué outlining the key outcomes of the commission.