Online Reporter
I am proud to announce that the level of the bilateral relationship between Zimbabwe and Serbia has improved significantly since we opened the embassy three and a half years ago.
Over the past year in particular, there have been many positive developments in our traditional areas of friendship and cooperation. We have also identified opportunities for collaboration on issues of greater strategic importance to both our nations, aligned with our respective national priorities.
Regarding cooperation between our two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, we are nearly finished with the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on diplomatic cooperation. A draft agreement has been approved by both sides, and we are now proceeding with the final steps.
We can then plan the official signing ceremony, which will be an excellent milestone. We intend to finalise it during the planned visit of Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to Serbia.
We expect Honourable Minister Professor Amon Murwira to visit Serbia in the coming months. This visit will provide a good opportunity to discuss other matters under the portfolios of our foreign ministries.
Cooperation is also progressing very well in agriculture, Information and Communication Technology, and sports. In all these areas, there is open communication between the responsible ministries.
The preparation of the MOU has been efficient so far, and I hope that in the coming months, all related documents will be approved by both sides. The ministerial visit will then offer an opportunity for them to be signed.
Other important developments took place in 2025.
Serbia offered additional scholarships to Zimbabwean students. These are full scholarships to study at universities in Belgrade —all applicants chose the University of Belgrade in our capital. The students were able to select their own fields of interest.
I am pleased to announce that we have successfully completed the final technical procedures related to their visas, and their air tickets have been purchased.
We now plan to organise an official send-off event in the coming days to prepare the students and provide them with important information about their initial period in Serbia.
I am also happy to report that we increased the number of scholarships from last year, to 31.
Unfortunately, due to private reasons and circumstances beyond our control, three students will be unable to use their scholarships or travel to study in Serbia. Therefore, 28 students will depart. They will arrive in Serbia on our national Statehood Day, February 15, and will immediately begin Serbian language courses to prepare for their studies.
This is one of the most important long-term initiatives between our two countries. Once these students complete their studies, they will return to contribute to Zimbabwe’s development and its Vision 2030.
They will also serve as a bridge between our nations. By speaking Serbian fluently, they will create significant opportunities for Serbian companies and institutions to communicate with Zimbabwean partners, leading to broader and more fruitful cooperation.
I am also planning for Serbian business representatives to visit Zimbabwe. Plans are already underway, with the first opportunity being the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in April. We are preparing a delegation from a city in southern Serbia, which will include city council representatives and members of the business community who wish to present themselves to the Zimbabwean market and engage with local companies in various sectors.
Areas of interest include agriculture, export-import of Zimbabwean and Serbian goods, the IT sector and equipment, as well as equipment related to agriculture and water supply—which is very important for Zimbabwe. Serbia has some capacity to support agricultural mechanisation, which is a specialty of certain companies. I am in close contact with Zimbabwean institutions to organise the travel, visit, and participation of Serbian businesses at ZITF.
Regarding tourism, we were unfortunately unable to participate in your main annual tourism fair, the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, held in Mutare last year. I hope that this year Serbian representatives will attend. This is my next goal—we plan to invite Serbian tour providers, agencies and our national tourism organisation to promote Serbia in Zimbabwe. We are aware that Masvingo province will this year host the 19th edition of Sanganai World Tourism Expo.
At the same time, we aim to conclude an agreement with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to promote Zimbabwe in Serbia. I am sure Serbian tourists would be very interested in visiting national treasures such as Victoria Falls, Nyanga, Binga, Vumba, Matopos and others.
Serbia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Rasida Grujic, was speaking to the Zimpapers Politics Hub’s Joseph Madzimure.
