Story by Theophilus Chuma
ZIMBABWE and Botswana have renewed efforts to deepen economic integration, with the two countries agreeing to accelerate plans for a One Stop Border Post to improve the movement of people and goods.
The commitment emerged during talks in Harare this Friday between Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Botswana Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe, who reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and explored new areas of collaboration.
Vice President Gaolathe said removing administrative barriers at border posts remains central to strengthening economic ties between the neighbouring countries.
“The bi-national has many components; one of the components, of course, is to bring down the man-made barriers that exist between the countries. That includes more efficient, more enhanced one-stop border facilities and processes, including the possibility of another one near Bubono in Botswana. We have agreed that the more time we spend with each other, the more opportunities we will be able to mechanise,” he said.
The meeting follows the Fifth Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission held in Harare in April, where the two countries signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding covering immigration cooperation, the promotion of cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises, and economic, trade and investment promotion.
Botswana is also seeking to leverage opportunities in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector, with Vice President Gaolathe commending the country’s achievements in education, industrial development and entrepreneurship.
“We expressed that we have been great admirers of what Zimbabwe has been able to achieve in building what a renowned quality education system is; many may not know that Zimbabwe has also been able to create a manufacturing base that many other countries, particularly African countries, haven’t been able to build. Zimbabwe has been able to build entrepreneurs, including entrepreneurs in telecommunications and financial services. So this creates a platform; this creates opportunities for Zimbabwe and Botswana,” he said.
The two countries are seeking to strengthen regional economic integration through expanded trade and investment in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
