ZIMBABWE and Tanzania are set to further deepen bilateral ties as they are scheduled to hold a three-day Joint Permanent Commission on Co-operation (JPCC) in Harare starting tomorrow.
The last JPCC between the two countries was held in Dar es Salaam in 1998. The revival of the commission underlines President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to engage and re-engage with African countries and beyond.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Co-operation Professor Palamagamba Kabudi will lead the delegations from the two countries.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry spokesperson Mr Shepherd Gwenzi said the JPCC seeks to leverage on sound political relations between Harare and Dar es Salaam.
"The excellent political relations between Zimbabwe and Tanzania date back to the days of the liberation struggle when the latter gave us invaluable moral, political, diplomatic and material assistance. Since the attainment of our independence, these relations have continued to blossom.
“However, trade relations between Zimbabwe and Tanzania are not commensurate with the close political relations between the two countries."
Mr Gwenzi said trade between the two countries “is very low”, with statistics showing that volumes amounted to US$8,5 million and US$9,5 million in 2016 and 2017, respectively. He said the JPCC will scale up co-operation in existing and new ventures as well as improve socio-economic relations.
“There is some cross-investment in each other’s country by the private sector.
Notable Zimbabwean companies such as SeedCo and BancABC have investments in Tanzania.
Tanzanian companies have also invested in Zimbabwe, notably Bhakresa Holdings, which acquired Blue Ribbon Foods.
"Another Bhakresa subsidiary, AZANI TV, has applied for a licence to operate in Zimbabwe.
The two countries also continue to co-operate in the aviation, education and defence sectors and are exploring new areas to consolidate their bilateral relations.
The upcoming JPCC, therefore, is expected to broaden and deepen bilateral co-operation between Zimbabwe and Tanzania for the mutual benefit of the two people’s."
Mr Gwenzi said Tanzania was the first African country to donate food and medical supplies to Zimbabwe following the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai.
In May, Tanzania’s President Magufuli visited Zimbabwe and extended his stay in the country as he knuckled down to strengthening ties between the two countries.