Story by Wellington Makonese
Zimbabwe and Botswana hope to use the upcoming SADC Industrialisation Week as a springboard to become focal points of investments in the region.
Discussions at a business engagement between captains of industry from Zimbabwe and Botswana in Harare on Thursday evening centred on how the two countries can grow their economies.
“The engagement we have will further enhance existing bilateral ties and ensure that these two countries though with low trade become focal points of investments for the rest of the region and the world. Economic diplomacy should continue to grow and take a leaf from our Presidents,” said Botswana Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Sarah Mulisiwa.
The focus is also on skills and technology transfer to accelerate industrialisation of the two countries.
“Botswana is a country with space for investment and what we are looking at is having more investment. What we know is Zimbabwe has technical expertise that we believe the business community can use Botswana as a springboard for growth and extend investment,” noted Botswana Investment and Trade Centre Executive Director, Mrs Trunklinah Gabonthone.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president, Mr Emmanuel Mujuru weighed in, “This is an opportunity for us to develop our existing business connections and drive industrialisation. With the Industrialisation Week ahead we seek to foster regional integration and foster trade with the rest of the region.”
Zimbabwe and Botswana share close ties under the framework of the Bi-National Commission with several agreements having been signed.
