Online Reporter
Michael Tome, Business Reporter
THE Government is stepping up efforts to deepen co-operation with India across several strategic areas that include trade, investment and technology as the two nations move to unlock new economic opportunities.
This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi, at the inaugural Hybrid Interactive Seminar on Enhancing India-Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Co-operation, held in Harare.
The event was organised by the Embassy of India in partnership with Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida), ZimTrade, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, and SME chambers, and brought together leading industrial players from both countries.
It also featured the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), one of India’s most influential export organisations, whose members have played a significant role in transforming India’s global trade position.
India remains one of Zimbabwe’s most important economic partners, with cumulative investments exceeding US$600 million and supporting more than 15 000 direct and indirect jobs.
Zimbabwe’s exports to India surged to US$46,9 million in 2024, up from just US$10,4 million in 2022, driven by tobacco, agricultural produce and mineral shipments.
India’s exports to Zimbabwe stood at US$189,6 million in 2023, led by pharmaceuticals, cereals, machinery, plastics and vehicles.
Deputy Minister Modi said the objective was now to broaden this engagement in support of the national vision.
“Building on our shared history and common aspirations, we seek to enhance co-operation with India across key areas of mutual interest,” he said. “International business co-operation is a key driver of our national objectives, and platforms like this seminar help Zimbabwe move closer to the targets of Vision 2030,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
He noted that the drive aligns with the Government’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises industrialisation, value addition, export growth, and job creation.
India presents a big market for Zimbabwean agri‑food products.
India imported US$1,5 billion worth of sugar, US$1,1 billion in tea, coffee and spices, and US$4 billion in fruits in 2023, a market that Zimbabwe can tap into.
Pharmaceutical imports from India into Zimbabwe already exceed US$58 million, pointing to strong prospects for partnerships in local drug formulation, packaging, medical-equipment assembly and hospital technologies.
Machinery imports valued at over US$30 million in 2024 also signal room for joint ventures in equipment assembly, renewable energy technologies, and agro-processing machinery.
India’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Brahma Kumar, said the deepening cooperation comes at a time when India is expanding its role in global supply chains.
“With a rising economy, the Indian market seeks to integrate further with the global supply chain. Therefore, I am confident that Zimbabwean players will find their trade partners in India for imports and exports. India is also emerging as a global manufacturing hub, which needs raw material and semi-finished goods,” said Ambassador Kumar.
Adding that, “With some positive policy intervention from government and active support from Zimbabwean chambers, we are set to unlock the inherent potential for our bilateral trade and commerce and other economic activities
FIEO Director General Suvidh Shah expressed a strong interest from Indian companies in expanding their presence in Zimbabwe.
“Indian investors are very keen to invest in various sectors of the Zimbabwean economy and broaden already existing investments, not only that, but to increase trade between the two countries,” said Mr Shah.
ZimTrade export development manager Tatenda Marume said Zimbabwe is ready to support increased business-to-business collaboration.
“ZimTrade stands ready to facilitate B2B linkages, provide market intelligence, support export development and work closely with government agencies to address trade bottlenecks.
“We aim to ensure seamless engagement between Zimbabwean and Indian companies as we jointly unlock a new era of trade and co-operation, one that brings prosperity and sustainable growth to both our nations,” said Mr Marume.
This development comes as Vice President Dr Constantine Chiwenga led the Zimbabwean delegation to the 20th India-Africa Business Conclave in August 2025, where discussions were made and avenues for partnership were promised, reflecting the deepening industrial relations between India and Zimbabwe.
India and Zimbabwe bilateral relations were further cemented with the visit of Indian Ministers for State for External Affairs, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to Zimbabwe earlier this year.
