1818 -05-14
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of BITC Mr. Keletsositse Olebile has hailed the continuous strengthening of relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe. Botswana and Zimbabwe continue to engage at different levels to leverage on each other as well as to form strategic partnerships that will eventually benefit both countries.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BITC and the Zimbabwe Investment Authority – ZIA in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Mr Olebile said through the MoU, the two entities will jointly execute and maintain mutually beneficial working relations for the achievement of the common objective of promoting economic prosperity for the two countries.
The signing of the MoU is one of the key developments following the recent state visit by His Excellency Mr. Emerson D. Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwean business community to Botswana earlier this year. At the business seminar held alongside the State visit, there was commitment for the two country’s Investment authorities to foster relations as well as facilitate for ease of doing business between the two countries. Mr Olebile added that the signing of the MoU shows that Botswana is firmly confident in doing business with Zimbabwe, post the challenges that the country faced.
For his part, ZIA Chief Executive Mr. Richard Mbaiwa said they appreciate Botswana’s support as they try to resuscitate their economy. He said Botswana has always supported Zimbabwe and the MOU signing will further strengthen working relations for collaborative investment promotion efforts. Mr Mbaiwa added that Zimbabwe is on a deliberate path to open up its economy and such partnerships will further magnify those efforts.
The signing ceremony was graced by amongst others the Botswana Ambassador to Zimbabwe Lt. General Matshwenyego L. Fisher and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Dr. Mike Bimha. BITC had travelled with 13 companies to participate at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. Botswana has
continuously participated in the Fair, to help Botswana businesses explore and access the Zimbabwean market. Such outward promotional missions aim to introduce Botswana companies and their products to foreign markets, as well as to foster and maintain trade relations between Botswana and other countries. BITC research had found out that there are opportunities for Botswana companies to explore the Zimbabwe market.
This was yet another initiative by BITC to assist local companies to promote their products and services internationally and explore international export markets and create contacts, with the main aim being to develop and increase Botswana’s export revenue and market share.