Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent

Zimbabwe and Mozambique are set to increase economic cooperation through improving trade relations, with the Presidents of the two countries calling for more cooperation on the business front.

Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Filipe Nyusi were speaking at the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Business Forum at the Harare International Conference Centre this Thursday.

The state visit by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has not only solidified relations on the political front, but has also created an avenue for the two countries to pursue economic cooperation.

As part of President Nyusi’s three-day state visit, businesspeople from Zimbabwe and Mozambique are holding a business forum graced by the two heads of state.

President Mnangagwa believes the two sister republics have great potential for business given their growing economies.

“Zimbabwe and Mozambique have vibrant, diverse, competitive and growing economies, hence there is a wealth of opportunities for businesses looking to expand into new markets. It is re-assuring that the battlefield to industries, manufacturing, value addition and beneficiation as well as increased production and productivity,” said President Mnangagwa.

He also noted the need for the private sector to produce goods using local resources.

“You must as the private sector increase your respective capacities to produce goods and services from Africa for Africa and the world,” he added.

President Nyusi is accompanied by a strong delegation as he values the prospects of deepening relations on various fronts including trade.

“We would want such forums to deepen trade relations. We should not wait for the government to do all the work. We do not want to import beef so far yet we can get it from Zimbabwe,” said President Nyusi.

President Nyusi also commended Zimbabwe for its initiatives towards achieving food security as evidenced by the success stories in wheat production.

“We need to create food sovereignty and we commend Zimbabwe for doing this. I asked President Mnangagwa if I could visit a wheat field and congratulations Zimbabwe on wheat production,” he asserted.

The need to augment power supply for production and create value chains in goods also came under the spotlight during the forum.