adminTanaka Mahanya
THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, James Manzou, has stressed the importance of Zimbabwe and Kenya’s strong cultural ties.
Speaking at the midterm review of the Joint Permanent Commission on cooperation between the two countries, he highlighted the significant progress made since the Commission’s resuscitation in March last year, including a landmark policy decision on free movement of people.
He acknowledged that more work needs to be done to improve trade volumes between the two countries and urged the implementation of effective systems to support joint programmes.
“In March 2022, the countries laid a solid foundation for the intensification of our strategic partnership by resuscitation of the Joint Permanent Commission on cooperation that had been lying dormant for a regrettable 25 years.
“Free movement of people between the two countries was enhanced when a landmark policy decision was made last year.
“We made a commitment to hold annual meetings through which we will account and make sure that our focus stays strictly on target,” he said.
He said people should take note of how far the countries had come as they strive for the successful implementation of all joint decisions.
“We have to be very objective in assessing where we have succeeded, and where we must and can improve our focus, and support our joint programmes with effective systems that will assist us to deliver.
“Our two countries continue to exchange views on a range of issues of mutual relationship.
“Bilateral trade remains worryingly low, but I am encouraged that we are now witnessing an evolving working relationship between trade facilitating agencies, ZimTrade and the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency.
“We should build on this foundation towards the harmonisation of product standards to reduce the barriers to the smooth flow of trade,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter