Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
BOTSWANA has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding trade and investment ties with Zimbabwe through deeper cooperation across key sectors of the economy.
The Zimbabwe-Botswana Business Forum, held on the sidelines of the 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, brought together business leaders and policymakers to strengthen commercial relations and explore new investment opportunities.
A high-level business delegation from Botswana is currently in Zimbabwe to identify opportunities across various sectors, a move expected to further boost bilateral trade and investment flows.
Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, Mr Keletso Tsotlhe Olebile, said the future of economic cooperation lies in joint value creation.
“The future of Zimbabwe-Botswana economic cooperation beyond trading finished goods across the border also lies in building value together. We must move from trade in isolation to integrated value chains, from raw commodities to beneficiation and processing, from adjacency to industrial partnership and from broader proximity to shared competitiveness,” he said.
Product Supply Manager at Makoro Group, Mr Faan Van Dyke underscored the importance of translating bilateral friendship into tangible economic outcomes.
“We can build stronger commercial bridges between Zimbabwe and Botswana. When future generations ask what we did with the friendship between Zimbabwe and Botswana, we should be able to point to tangible outcomes that deliver prosperity, deepen industry, grow the services sector, add value, and expand market integration,” he said.
ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allan Majuru, said the combined economic potential of the two countries presents significant opportunities for growth.
“When one considers the scale of our economies and our combined potential, the room for growth is unmistakable. Together, we represent a strategic bilateral market, a natural production partnership and a platform for stronger industrial and commercial cooperation,” he said.
The growing engagement between Zimbabwean and Botswana businesses is expected to attract investors, development financiers and regional banking institutions, further enhancing industrial collaboration and cross-border trade.
Zimbabwe and Botswana continue to strengthen bilateral relations, with a shared focus on expanding commerce, promoting industrialisation and improving the ease of doing business across their borders.
