Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
STAKEHOLDERS have described Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Zimbabwe as critical in enhancing productive bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Second Republic’s ‘friend to all and enemy to none’ policy stance is achieving the desired results with President Lukashenko and his high-powered delegation in Zimbabwe for a three-day state visit.
The visit will culminate in the signing of various bilateral agreements and the unveiling of existing programmes in agriculture.
The Zimbabwe National Farmers Union Secretary General, Mr Paul Zakaria is convinced of the productive nature of the ties which have come with an expansive agriculture mechanisation programme.
“This is one of the bilateral relations that Zimbabwe has ever had which has produced meaningful contributions to some productive sectors and in particular the agricultural sector.
“When we talk about the improvement of tillage services in the country over the last three seasons, you cannot finish that story without mentioning the relationship that is there between Zimbabwe and Belarus. Just recently, there was another shot in the arm and the farming community is benefitting from the relationship that our government has established. It is a very productive relationship which is mutual between the two countries” he said.
For political analyst Dr Tawanda Zinyama, Zimbabwe has derived a social dividend in the public transport sector.
“If you look at 2019 when President Emmerson Mnangagwa went there, they signed several MOUs on agriculture, mining, manufacturing and transport. It is important in driving Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy One. Belarus has done a lot for us, look at the transport sector, it has eased several transport challenges and so many tractors are doing work in farms across the country,” he said.
President Lukashenko’s visit, which is his first in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to open more avenues for local businesses to establish a productive relationship with companies in Belarus.
