Bulawayo delegation in Belarus

Ashley Phiri, [email protected] 

THE Bulawayo Economic Development Agency (BEDA) and AFTRADE DMCC, a Belarusian company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paving the way for a comprehensive partnership between Zimbabwe and Belarus.

The MOU was signed following a successful week-long visit to Minsk, Belarus, by a high-level business delegation from Zimbabwe, led by Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube. The visit aimed to explore investment and business opportunities between the two countries.

The agreement, witnessed by officials from the Ministry of Industry, Government of Belarus, and the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Belarus, marks a significant milestone in the growing bilateral relations between the two nations.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, the MOU will set the stage for wide-ranging cooperation across key sectors, including agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, and trade.

“During the visit, the delegation had an opportunity to visit various companies in Belarus with the intention of establishing partnerships in the areas of agriculture value chain and market development to enhance livestock for beef and milk production, as well as the establishment of processing plants in Bulawayo for the Southern African market.

“Cooperation in educational and skills exchange programmes for health, science, engineering, and pharmaceuticals, ICT and cultural exchange, as well as the establishment of a scholarship programme for Zimbabwean students to study in Belarus,” reads the statement.

The two countries will also collaborate in the development of sustainable infrastructure and the supply of industry raw materials.

“The two countries will also work together in the procurement and distribution of farm mechanisation machinery and waste management machinery. Collaborating in the development of sustainable housing, transport, and waste management infrastructure. There will also be the supply of raw materials to the Belarusian industry, such as leather for the Belarusian automobile industry, as well as the supply of fresh farm produce from Zimbabwe and horticulture products,” reads the statement.

In addition to Minister Ncube, the delegation comprised officials from her office, including the Director for Economic Affairs and Investment Promotion, Simon Sawunyama, the chairman of the Bulawayo Economic Development Agency, Kwanele Hlabangana, the Town Clerk of the City of Bulawayo, Christopher Dube, and officials from the City of Bulawayo, namely, the Director of Health Services, Edwin Sibanda Mzingwane, and Engineer Methusi Dibidi, as well as the Executive Director of Africa Voluntary Carbon Credits Market Forum, Anglistone Sibanda.

The partnership is expected to foster economic growth and development in both countries, enhance trade and investment opportunities, promote cultural exchange and people-to-people ties, and strengthen bilateral relations and regional cooperation.

The signing of the MOU demonstrates the commitment of Zimbabwe and Belarus to deepen their economic and political ties, unlocking new opportunities for mutual benefit and prosperity.

Zimbabwe and Belarus enjoy good bilateral relations, with high-level visits and continuous engagements in forums between President Mnangagwa and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko playing a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.

These diplomatic interactions have resulted in bilateral trade growing eight-fold last year, with more than 15 Zimbabwean delegations visiting Belarus. Zimbabwe and Belarus held a Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation in Harare in April.

Besides reciprocal state visits by President Mnangagwa in 2019 and President Lukashenko last year, Zimbabwean and Belarusian officials continue to have serious discussions on areas of mutual interest.

 

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