SA and Zimbabwe to discuss trade barriers

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) will host the South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum on the margins of the countries’ Bi-National Commission on Friday.

The one-day forum at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg will focus on strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations through dialogue between government and the private sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa are expected to address delegates.

The forum would identify opportunities to expand bilateral trade, facilitate investment, strengthen industrial cooperation and establish sustainable commercial partnerships, the DTIC said.

Practical barriers to trade and investment, including transport and logistics constraints, will also be discussed, along with opportunities to strengthen regional value chains.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said the forum reflected both governments’ commitment to strengthening economic cooperation and unlocking new business opportunities.

“South Africa and Zimbabwe enjoy longstanding economic and commercial relations that continue to contribute to regional growth and development.

“The Business Forum provides an important platform for government and the private sector to engage on practical measures aimed at increasing bilateral trade, facilitating investment and fostering industrial cooperation that delivers mutual benefit to both countries.”

Stronger partnerships between South African and Zimbabwean businesses would help build more resilient regional value chains and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Tau said.

“The DTIC remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance intra-African trade, promote value-added production and improve the competitiveness of our industries,” he added.

Key areas for discussion will include transport and logistics connectivity, regional value-chain development, cooperation between industrial and special economic zones, manufacturing, technology transfer and capital equipment.

South Africa’s main exports to Zimbabwe include maize, refined petroleum, petroleum gas, delivery trucks and heavy construction equipment, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

Zimbabwe’s principal exports to South Africa include nickel mattes, mineral coke, raw tobacco, gold and chromium ore.