Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
ZIMBABWE’S agriculture sector recovery and growth plan took centre stage as President Emmerson Mnangagwa was joined by his South African counterpart, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, in touring stands at the 115th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS).
As South Africa accounts for the largest share of Zimbabwe’s international trade figures, the tour of the stands opened opportunities for increased bilateral economic cooperation.
The two Presidents were impressed by the agricultural sector parastatals’ value chains in promoting the growth of rural industrialisation, including massive output levels in the tobacco farming sector.
The private sector also emerged as a key centre of focus, while the mining industry and transformative models implemented by the state-owned utility, ARDA, also attracted the interest of the leaders.
After the tour, the Guest of Honour, President Ramaphosa, spoke on Zimbabwe’s economic resilience to local and global shocks.
“This is quite amazing what I have seen here bears testimony that the agriculture sector is on course to recovery and growth from value addition to the industrialised sectors. This calls for more concerted efforts to enhance the value of cooperation riding on existing bilateral relations. The tour was an eye-opener as it opened more opportunities for doing business together while learning about Zimbabwe’s model of farming.”
With Zimbabwe’s exports to South Africa on an upward trajectory, this year’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Show has set the tone for local firms to further expand businesses in the neighbouring economy.
