Story by Yolanda Moyo
WITH the Second Republic keen on growing the country’s exports and enhancing trade relations, a delegation comprising of Zimbabwean companies is on a trade mission to Botswana, to explore market opportunities.
The delegation comprising eight companies in the building, construction and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors is in Botswana on a four-day business mission seeking to establish partnerships and explore potential collaborations.
By forging new connections and understanding the intricacies of the neighbouring market, Zimbabwe’s export development and promotion body, ZimTrade, hopes to increase export volumes and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
“We are in Botswana on a four-day business-to-business visit organised by the Zimbabwe Export Development and Promotion Agency, ZimTrade in collaboration with the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). The visit aims to deepen economic ties between the two neighbouring countries. By forging new partnerships and exploring market opportunities, Zimbabwean businesses hope to increase their export volumes to Botswana.
“The eight companies will engage with buyers in Botswana to develop new markets for their products. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade agenda to increase regional integration and maximise strategic markets, such as Botswana. This is in line with the Second Republic’s policy thrust of export-led growth, engagement and re-engagement as well as economic diplomacy,” ZimTrade Southern Region Manager, Ms Jacqueline Nyathi said.
Gaborone enjoys favourable trade agreements with Harare, including a bilateral trade pact, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol and provisions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The delegation’s visit to Botswana comes at a time when the two countries are committed to deepening regional integration and promoting intra-African trade, contributing to the overall development of the Southern African region.
