Zimbabwe and Rwanda Aim to Enhance Economic Relations

149

Zimbabwe and Rwanda are strengthening their economic ties through their annual trade and investment conference, which serves as a platform for exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Scheduled for March 18–20, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda, the high-level Rwanda-Zimbabwe Business Forum marks the third edition since its inception in 2021. Organized by ZimTrade, Zimbabwe’s trade development, and promotion agency, in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, the event aims to bolster bilateral trade relations.

Allan Majuru, CEO of ZimTrade, highlighted the forum’s significance in aligning with the government’s efforts to enhance engagement and re-engagement strategies. He emphasized President Mnangagwa’s vision of positioning Zimbabwe as a key player in Africa’s tourism, investment, and trade sectors.

Majuru underscored the collaborative nature of the conference, stressing that both countries have much to offer each other economically. He cited previous successes, such as the exchange of teaching skills and labor to Rwanda and the export of Zimbabwean products to the Rwandan market, as examples of fruitful collaboration.

The Zimbabwean delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Fredrick Shava, will include representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industries, and other government agencies.

The inaugural event in Kigali in 2021, initially known as the Rwanda-Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference, witnessed the signing of several agreements to foster collaboration in various economic sectors. President Paul Kagame emphasized the importance of pooling resources and knowledge to reinforce each other’s economies.

The 2022 edition saw over 50 Rwandan businesses engaging with potential partners in Zimbabwe and touring local manufacturing facilities to gain insights into the country’s production processes.

This year’s forum aims to strengthen business ties further and enable both governments and private sectors to assess the progress made in bilateral cooperation. It presents an opportunity to build upon past achievements and explore new avenues for economic partnership between Rwanda and Zimbabwe.