Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe and Singapore have discussed ways of collaborating in the aviation, roads and railway sectors as well as smart transport management systems.
Delegations from the two countries’ Ministries of Transport met in Singapore on Thursday and also explored the possibility of Singapore Airlines introducing flights into Zimbabwe to boost tourist arrivals.
The Zimbabwean delegation expressed Harare’s commitment to its engagement and re-engagement policy through agreements in the fields of transport and transport infrastructure as well as in aircraft accident and serious incidents investigation.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, who is attending the 2025 Global Aviation and Maritime Symposium (GAMS) in Singapore, led the Zimbabwean delegation in bilateral meetings with his Singaporean counterpart Mr Jeffrey Siow.
The bilateral meetings took place on the sidelines of the GAMS at the invitation of Minister Sow who expressed his and Singapore’s gratitude to the Zimbabwean delegation for accepting the invitation.
Minister Siow narrated how the transport sector, particularly maritime, aviation, city and state road and railway transport administration, has evolved over the years and a highly ambitious vision they have for a smart, carbon-free, service-oriented and connected transportation system.
Minister Mhona thanked his counterpart for extending the invitation to the GAMS and commended Singapore for establishing a robust intermodal transport network.
He also recalled that Zimbabwe and Singapore reviewed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) in 2014, which establishes reciprocal rights for airlines to operate between Zimbabwe and Singapore.
Air Zimbabwe used to fly from Harare to Singapore en-route to Beijing, China and at some time, to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Minister Mhona shared recent developments in the transport sector in Zimbabwe focussing on the upgrade, expansion and modernisation of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, which can handle wide-bodied aircraft with six million passengers passing through the airport annually.
He invited Singapore Airlines to launch a route to Harare and or Victoria Falls, given the attractive tourist destinations in Zimbabwe and opportunities in the mining, agricultural and tourism sectors.
The Zimbabwean delegation shared potential investment opportunities which are abundant in the transport, especially in rail, aviation and road infrastructure including technological installations associated with tolling and smart ticketing.
