Online Reporter
Cletus Mushanawani in BEIRA, Mozambique
ZIMBABWE’S move to use local expertise in the construction and education sectors have received kudos from the Mozambican authorities who are willing to tap into that expertise to have homegrown solutions in these sectors.
Speaking at her offices in Beira this morning ahead of the ZimTrade Outward Trade Mission to Beira which starts tomorrow up to Thursday, Secretary for State in the Province of Sofala, Her Excellency Cecilia Sandra Jeronimo Francisco Chamutota said they were excited to welcome the Zimbabwean business delegation to Sofala for the trade mission.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza will be leading a high-powered business delegation from Manicaland during the Outward Trade Mission.
The Zimbabwean delegation is expected in Beira later today.
Her Excellency Chamutota reiterated the strong brother and sister relationship between the sister nations of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which she said should be strengthened in all sectors including private entities.
“Zimbabwe and Mozambique enjoy strong relationships in a number of sectors, and we should continue strengthening these partnerships. A lot is happening in the political and State sectors, but little is happening in the private sector partnerships which we need to strengthen. I would like to thank you for organising this mission, and we look forward to host the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution and his delegation to Sofala Province. We must continue working together in all sectors.
“Zimbabwe is doing so well in the education and construction sectors which our local institutions should tap into. I am happy to notice that we have tertiary institutions and players in the construction industry as part of the delegation visiting us, and we will use this opportunity to tap from their expertise,” said Her Excellency Chamutota.
She said there are a lot of investment opportunities in Gorongosa area where tertiary institutions can also use their expertise in research in the agricultural sector.
“I am prepared to have more discussion with the education sector to see which areas we can partner especially in agricultural research in Gorongosa area. We also want to learn a lot from players in the construction sector from Zimbabwe as Zimbabwe is doing extreme well in that sector. We will continue exploring for more investment opportunities and markets between the two sister nations,” she said.
Companies that will be participating in the Outward Trade Mission include those in the agriculture, furniture making, life assurance, education, fast consumer moving goods, engineering and construction sectors. About 15 companies will be in Mozambique for the mission.
ZimTrade Eastern Region manager, Mr Admire Jongwe said their mission is to cement trade relationships between the two countries.
“We have brought 15 companies from Zimbabwe for this Outward Trade Mission to look for markets and products that we can also take back home. During the two-day event, we will be visiting and meeting various sectors to cement trade relationships between companies in Beira and Zimbabwe. We also want to strengthen the economic bond between the two nations,” said Mr Jongwe.
Speaking earlier on Minister Mugadza said: “I will be leading a business delegation to Beira for a trade mission. We have a lot to learn from each other as brothers and sisters. We want to ensure that both countries benefit from the Beira Corridor. Our Presidents, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Mozambican counterpart, His Excellency, Daniel Chapo enjoy cordially relationships, and us as their foot soldiers should take a leading role in working together to strengthen our economies through trade. We look forward to play our part and see a tremendous increase in trade volumes,” said Advocate Mugadza.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique enjoy a longstanding trade relationship, with both countries leveraging each other’s strengths to foster economic growth. The trade dynamics between these two neighbouring nations are influenced by various factors, including geographical proximity, historical ties, and economic complementarities.
Trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique encompasses a diverse range of goods and services. Zimbabwe primarily exports goods such as dairy, tobacco, minerals, and manufactured products to Mozambique, while Mozambique exports goods like prawns, cashew nuts, and timber to Zimbabwe. The two countries also engage in cross-border trade, with informal trade playing a significant role in the bilateral trade relationship.
Exports from Zimbabwe to Mozambique increased from $397.7 million in 2023 to $487.6m in 2024, showing a 23 percent growth.
Mozambique is currently Zimbabwe’s fourth-largest export destination, with potential for further growth.
