Zimbabwe , Botswana to strengthen trade ties, remove barriers

ZIMBABWE and Botswana have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening socio economic relations through the removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers for the mutual benefit of the two nations’ citizens.

The two sister republics, whose diplomatic relations date back to the pre independence era, also pledged to deepen collaboration across various economic sectors as neighbouring States united by shared values, history and purpose.

The commitment was reiterated yesterday during a Senior Officials’ Meeting held ahead of the Fifth Session of the Zimbabwe Botswana Bi National Commission, which is scheduled to take place in Harare.

The Senior Officials’ Meeting was co-chaired by Zimbabwe’s Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, and Botswana’s Permanent Secretary for International Relations, Ambassador Thuso Ramodimoosi.

President Mnangagwa and Botswana President Duma Boko are expected to jointly preside over the Fifth Session of the Zimbabwe Botswana Bi National Commission on April 22 in Harare.

Speaking at the opening of the Senior Officials’ Meeting, Ambassador Chimbindi described the engagement as a clear demonstration of the excellent relations and enduring friendship between the two republics. He said Zimbabwe would remain forever grateful for the invaluable support and assistance rendered by Botswana during the country’s liberation struggle.

“Our relations are therefore rooted in our shared history, common culture and familial bonds, which are the base of everything we have built together. In that regard, our two countries and peoples are inseparable. Our destinies are inextricably linked,” he said.

Ambassador Chimbindi highlighted the robust cooperation between the two countries’ security sectors as one of the notable successes of the bilateral relationship. He commended ongoing joint operations which, he said, had significantly reduced incidents of stock theft along the shared border.

Ambassador Chimbindi cited the establishment of restrictions at Mabolwe and other border areas as evidence of the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation.

“Furthermore, the joint efforts by the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Botswana Police Service to disrupt markets were totally left to empower our communities against local and stock theft initiatives.

“As we tackle transboundary criminal activities, we have to always remember that crimes and criminals have no nationality. A crime in Botswana is a crime in Zimbabwe, and a criminal in Zimbabwe is also a criminal, so they don’t have any nationality. The long arm of the law and due process should take its course,” he said.

Ambassador Chimbindi also expressed Zimbabwe’s appreciation for Botswana’s continued support for mobile consular outreach exercises, including the participation of District Commissioners and the Department of Immigration.

“These exercises allow our Embassy to provide essential services to Zimbabweans living in Botswana.”