Presidents Robert Mugabe and Jacob Zuma yesterday agreed to establish a Joint Trade and Investment Committee by the end of March next year to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
According to a communiqué issued yesterday following a meeting of the Bi-National Commission, the two leaders also urged ministries and government departments to conclude negotiations on all outstanding agreements and memorandum of understanding between the two countries. They have so far signed 38 agreements.
They also agreed to set up a one-stop border post at Beitbridge –Musina to ease trade between the two countries.
South Africa is Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner but the trade is heavily skewed in favour of Pretoria.
The two leaders agreed that the next bi-national commission meeting will be held in South Africa at a date to be agreed.
Below is the full communiqué.
The full text of the communiqué issued at the inaugural session of the Bi-National Commission in Harare, Zimbabwe, on November 3, 2016
1. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, attended and co-chaired the Inaugural Session of the Bi-National Commission Summit, which was held in Harare, Zimbabwe on November 3, 2016.
2. The Bi-National Commission Summit (BNC) was immediately preceded by the Ministerial meeting on November 2 and the Senior Officials meeting from October 31 to November 1, 2016, respectively.
3. The two Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the strong historical and fraternal relations existing between the two countries and reiterated their commitment to continue to enhance these relations. They also reviewed a wide range of regional and international issues.
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