admin
Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
TRADE in goods and services between Zimbabwe and Britain surged 67 percent to over US$800 million last year compared to 2022 figures, UK deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Joanne Abbot said yesterday.
Speaking at the launch of the Monty’s and Central Association of Cooperative Union (CACU) outgrower scheme in Harare yesterday, Dr Abbot said smallholder participation in agriculture exports must continue to grow due to financing options availed to exporters.
The scheme is running under the theme: “Opportunities in the field, capturing opportunities from the field.”
“In 2023, total trade between the UK and Zimbabwe was over US$800 million, that is a 67 percent or two thirds increase in the 2022 figure and we want to grow that.
“I am delighted to announce a new partnership programme to support horticulture farmers specifically and lead firms to boost production and export of high value crops to the UK and European Union market,” said Dr Abbot.
The new trade partnership programme will provide advisory services to farmers on how to produce and export quality products sustainably.
It will also support small and medium enterprises to exhibit at the European and British trade fairs and will be implemented by the International Trade Centre and the Horticultural Development Council.
Dr Abbot said: “We would like to thank Ministry of Agriculture for endorsing the ‘Hub and Spoke’ model which is a real drive for inclusive growth.
“It is because of this model that I am here today to congratulate the Horticultural Development Council for this agreement between CACU and Montgomery Processors (Monty’s). Without Government endorsement I wouldn’t be here.”
There are three levels of financing models that the UK government is availing to Zimbabwean exporters.
Recently, the UK’s development finance institution, British International Investment, announced a US$10 million loan to the agriculture sector to expand exports and sustainable production through the NMB Bank.
It also signed a partnership agreement with the Zimbabwe Agriculture Development Trust, which is much more of a smallholder farmer facility to help them access financing.
The UK also has a US$4 million loan guarantee facility for rural small and medium enterprises, particularly women and youth, which is being administered by Steward Bank with the economic partnership agreement providing duty-free and quota-free access into the UK for goods originating from East and Southern African (ESA)countries.
It also provides for a gradual reduction of duties in these countries for goods originating in the UK and is intended to provide continuity of the UK’s and the ESA countries’ rights and obligations under the ESA-EU EPA.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Department of Research and Specialist Services chief director Dr Dumisani Kutywayo; Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri welcomed the partnership saying it was a step in the direction in the country’s quest to attain its Vision 2030 goals.
“I am honoured to be here with you today on the launch of this partnership between Monty’s and CACU. This project represents a transformative approach to food systems, which aligns with our national goal of inclusive growth in our agriculture sector as well as dovetailing with strategies in the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP),” he said.
Online Reporter