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Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe and Türkiye have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at co-operating in the field of transport and transport infrastructure.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona and his Turkish counterpart, Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, signed the MoU in Türkiye.
The two held a bilateral meeting on Wednesday to strengthen relations in the transport industry.
According to the MoU, the two countries will encourage businesses to work together in rail, road motor transport, aviation, and in particular, to enable air transport.
Related departments of each Ministry in transport will define their scope of cooperation, either through MoUs or other legal instruments as circumstances warrant.
“You have successfully organised the International Road Federation World Congress which tackles contemporary global issues in the transport industry,” said Minister Mhona, who also conveyed deep condolences to the people of the Republic of Türkiye and the victims of the February 2023 earthquake.
“We applaud you for the massive rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts that have resulted in life returning to normal in the affected regions.
“We commend the excellent bilateral relations existing between Zimbabwe and Türkiye. The relationship is important in that it strengthens our solidarity in the economic spheres. We express Zimbabwe’s readiness to extend that cooperation with Türkiye at the international level through organisations like ICAO, Inland Transport Committee, International Road Federation and many more,” Minister Mhona said.
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“We wish to compliment Türkiye for modernising its transport and infrastructure system and note that Zimbabwe wishes to learn from Türkiye’s experiences in developing the sector. We note that the conclusion of the memoranda of understanding between Zimbabwe and Türkiye on cooperation on transport will play a pivotal role in enhancing the bilateral relations.
“This will give impetus to the National Railways of Zimbabwe’s proposed programme with Turkish State Railways through their MoU on improving cooperation in the railways sector signed in 2021,” Minister Mhona said.
He also hoped that the Turkish railways would visit Zimbabwe soon to assess NRZ training needs as agreed in December 2023 in Ankara.
“We observe that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Türkiye and Zimbabwe came into force in 2017 and express hope that Turkish Airlines would commence flights to Zimbabwe soon.
“We express our commitment to facilitate the airline to fly to either Harare or Bulawayo or Victoria Falls,” Minister Mhona said.
The minister and other senior Government officials were in Istanbul, Turkiye, for the International Road Federation World Congress 2024. The congress, which started on Tuesday and ends today, is being held under the theme: “Connecting to empower mobility: Roads as enablers of a sustainable future for all”.
Minister Mhona is accompanied by Zinara board chairperson Dr George Manyaya, Zinara chief executive Mr Nkosinathi Ncube, Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Council board chairman Mr Kura Sibanda and managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa.
Also attending the congress is Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Mr Alfred Mutiwazuka.
Online Reporter