Zimbabwe and UAE Strengthen Ties as Trade Surges by 300%

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Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are poised to deepen their bilateral relations, driven by a remarkable surge in trade exceeding 300% over less than five years, according to a senior official.

Aligned with Zimbabwe’s export-led growth strategy under the Second Republic, both countries inked a bilateral agreement on investment promotion and protection, along with a tax treaty in 2018.

Benefitting from these agreements and an open-for-business foreign policy approach, bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and the UAE experienced robust expansion from 2019 to 2023, presenting opportunities for Zimbabwe to tap into the entire Gulf region market.

In 2021, UAE imports from Zimbabwe surged to US$2.3 billion compared to US$1.5 billion in 2020 and US$904 million in 2019. By 2023, bilateral trade surpassed the US$3 billion mark, with Zimbabwe accounting for US$2.7 billion of the total trade volume.

Speaking at the Zimbabwean consulate in Dubai, Ambassador Lovemore Mazemo highlighted that approximately 28 UAE companies are currently engaged in various sectors in Zimbabwe, including mining, agriculture, and renewable energy.

Zimbabwe’s primary exports to the UAE encompass precious stones, pearls, tobacco, fruits, macadamia nuts, bananas, avocados, citrus fruits, and assorted berries.

Ambassador Mazemo underscored the continuous growth of bilateral relations, emphasizing that trade figures surged from US$2 billion at the end of 2022 to slightly surpassing US$3 billion by the end of 2023. He attributed this significant growth to the ongoing exploration of opportunities and the positive business environment fostered by government-level agreements.

Efforts at the government level are underway to broaden the scope of existing agreements to further bolster ties between the two nations.

To bolster Zimbabwe’s business presence in the UAE, the Zimbabwean Business Council was established with the support of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the opening of the Consulate in Dubai, announced by the Zimbabwean Embassy in Abu Dhabi, aims to provide enhanced services to the growing community of Zimbabweans working in the UAE.

Ambassador Mazemo noted the considerable demand for Zimbabwean skills across various sectors in the UAE, estimating that approximately 6,000 Zimbabwean expatriates currently reside in the country. He emphasized their positive contribution as ambassadors for Zimbabwe and highlighted the confidence of investors originating from the UAE in Zimbabwe’s economic landscape.