Story by Wellington Makonese
President Emmerson Mnangagwa arrived at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport this morning having participated in the Botswana-Zimbabwe Bi National Commission and touring the Okavango Delta.
He was received by his deputies – General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Colonel (Retired) Cde Kembo Mohadi, service chiefs and senior government officials.
The engagement between the two countries involved senior government officials including Defence Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava, Finance and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube among others, tasked with forging ties to enhance cooperation across diverse sectors such as trade, investment, security and regional development.
In his address during the opening session of the 4th Bi-National Commission, President Mnangagwa spoke highly of the necessity in removing barriers to the smooth flow of goods and services in order to unlock the economic potential of the nations with the measures including removal of passports.
President Masisi of Botswana noted that the commission provides fertile ground for the growth of ties in different fields for the socio economic growth of the two sister republics while appreciating the space his country has been given to tell its liberation history at the Museum of African Liberation in Harare.
Other issues mooted include the one stop border post proposed for Plumtree-Ramokgwebana which seeks to streamline customs and immigration to reduce transit time and costs.
