Online Reporter
Online Writer
ZIMBABWE and Zambia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in trade, investment and security during the Mid-Term Review of the 18th Session of the Zimbabwe-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) held in Harare.
The meeting was co-chaired by Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi and Mr Bentry Sialambwa, Assistant Director for Cooperation in Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Delegates reviewed progress on previously signed agreements and explored strategies to speed up the implementation of outstanding commitments.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Chimbindi praised ongoing collaboration between ZimTrade and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), including plans to establish a warehouse in Kasumbalesa to boost cross-border trade in consumer goods and agricultural equipment.
Mr Sialambwa, representing Zambia, called for swift action on agreements in immigration, SME development, tourism, commodity trading and environmental cooperation.
He also emphasised the finalisation of the Financial Commission Agreement, which would pave the way for elevating cooperation to a Bi-National Commission (BNC) at the Heads of State level in 2026.
The Zambian delegation further underscored the importance of establishing a Zambia-Zimbabwe Joint Industrial Park under the COMESA framework, describing it as a milestone in regional industrialisation.
Both nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to agriculture and tourism as key growth frontiers.
Ambassador Chimbindi urged the quick finalisation of the draft MoU on Agricultural Cooperation, while both sides welcomed progress under the MoU on Tourism Cooperation, which has already delivered joint exhibitions and a technical committee meeting in Kariba earlier this year.
The review also highlighted advances in defence and security collaboration, following the 34th Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security held in February 2025.
Both parties welcomed progress in joint operations, harmonisation of defence policies and regional cooperation to address security threats in the Great Lakes region and the DRC.
Zambia reiterated its solidarity with Zimbabwe in the international arena, renewing calls for the removal of sanctions, which it said undermine economic recovery and regional integration.
