adminGolden Sibanda Senior Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE needs to further develop transport and trade infrastructure links with South Africa to maintain Africa’s biggest economy as its single most important trading partner, research findings have shown.
This came from preliminary findings of a research carried out by Dr Medicine Masiiwa who had been commissioned by Ministry of Regional Integration and International Cooperation to undertake the study on trade and transport. The World Bank funded the exercise to assess the need to facilitate transport and trade in Zimbabwe.
The findings form part of preliminary desk research ahead of a more detailed second phase. Dr Masiiwa yesterday presented the initial findings (from desk research) to stakeholders at a workshop in Harare.
Preliminary findings of the study show that since economic and political stability, key for trade competitiveness of Zimbabwe is now in place, Zimbabwe’s trade was bound for significant growth, making a trade and transport facilitation measure critical to support this growth.
“A major implication of having South Africa as Zimbabwe’s single most significant trading partner is that the transport and trade infrastructure between the two countries should be further developed, he said.
“Development options include expanding the current border post to accommodate more traffic or to construct a new border post altogether.
Online Reporter