The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, said the government was eager to help resuscitate Zimbabwe’s industries, following the recent signing of a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries.

Speaking at an investment and trade initiative seminar, organised by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) in Bulawayo on Thursday, Thabethe urged Zimbabwean businesspeople to grab the opportunities brought about by South Africa and establish trade relations. She added that South Africa had benefited from the bilateral trade relationship with Zimbabwe in previous years, with a turnover amounting to about R17,5 billion last year.

She said South Africa was committed to establishing trade and investment partnerships with businesses in Zimbabwe to help the local sector grow. “South Africa and Zimbabwe have a long-standing relationship, both economically and politically, dating back to the years preceding South Africa’s democracy. We fondly remember the solidarity and unwavering support we received from the people of Zimbabwe. Our victory against the forces of apartheid saw the advancement of social equity gaining ground and the majority benefiting from our efforts of correcting the historical injustices,” said Thabethe.

She challenged local businesspeople and industrialists to harness the opportunity brought about by the growth of industry in South Africa and establish private/public partnerships (PPPs). She said intra-Africa economic integration and co-operation were now receiving a significant amount of attention, hence the need for PPPs.

“South Africa is committed to seeing Zimbabwe industries grow because they are closer to us. We encourage you to engage with the exporters during the business-to-business meetings here, and we urge you to take advantage of the opportunities.  Let us work together to grow the two economies and create many job opportunities and a better life for all our people. We expect to see further growth in trade and investment between our two countries,” she said.

Thabethe was leading a delegation of businesspeople and captains of industry from South Africa on an investment visit to the neighbouring country.

Speaking at the same occasion, the vice-president of ZNCC Matabeleland region, Mrs Sheila Sidambe, bemoaned the state of industry in Matabeleland and appealed for a capital injection from investors to help it. She said it was critical that industries considered establishing partnerships, so that they could tap into their counterparts’ strengths.