Harare, (New Ziana) -Zimbabwe is forever grateful to the government and people of Mozambique for the many acts of unwavering solidarity that they demonstrated, including holding in abeyance their own joy of independence and development until it was also liberated and sovereign, President Emerson Mnangagwa has said.
He said this on Thursday during a state banquet that he hosted for visiting Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, who is in the country to officially open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
“The exceptional relations and fraternal bonds between Zimbabwe and Mozambique are cemented by a rich history engraved by the precious blood of many sons and daughters of our two countries,” he said.
“These relations date back to our struggles for independence, freedom and democracy when we shared the revolutionary trenches.”
President Mnangagwa expressed satisfaction at the increased bilateral economic cooperation and high-level visits between the two countries, which stand tall on their rich history.
He noted that efforts towards enhancing investment and trade between the two countries continue to yield intended results, with heightened Business-to-Business exchanges in the fields of agriculture, energy, transport, tourism, manufacturing and mining, among others.
“Meanwhile, initiatives in the environmental space, are advancing the conservation agenda and climate change mitigation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa commended the presence of a high-level business delegation from Mozambique at the ZITF Business Roundtable.
He said the exhibitions from Mozambique-based companies at the ZITF further demonstrated the joint quest to increase investment and trade volumes between the two countries.
The importance of shared cross-border infrastructure towards accelerating multi-pronged industrialisation, modernisation and overall development cannot be overemphasised.
“We, thus, look forward to the implementation of the landmark Ponta Techobanine Project, which will have far reaching spill-offs on our two economies,” he said.
The Ponta Techobanine Railway is centred around improving rail linkages between Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, facilitating smoother trade routes and improving access to Mozambican ports, especially the planned Ponta Techobanine port.
While there is no direct rail line currently linking all three countries, existing rail infrastructure could be upgraded to form the basis of the corridor. Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa took the opportunity to again congratulate President Chapo on his inauguration.
He said his election victory and that of the sister revolutionary party, FRELIMO, was a testament of the continuing appeal and attractiveness of the policies of liberation movements, who remain the guarantors of freedom, independence and sustainable development.
“I also applaud you, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, for the broad and inclusive engagements you are undertaking with various stakeholders, towards consolidating peace, stability and prosperity in your country,” he said.
“As we journey together in our collective efforts to realise the development and prosperity of our peoples, my Government avails itself to further deepen relations with Mozambique, under your leadership.”
President Mnaagngwa said Zimbabwe is also committed to continually solidifying the fraternal relations between the two revolutionary parties, Zanu PF and FRELIMO, across their various leagues.
He said Mozambique and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) can count on Zimbabwe as a reliable partner on the ongoing agenda to scale up the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Zimbabwe will always work closely with Mozambique at the regional, continental and multilateral fora, to advance common interests towards global peace and security as well as shared prosperity, he said.
New Ziana
