Zimbabwean businesses urged to increase trade with the UK

Bulawayo (New Ziana)-Zimbabweans should take advantage of a trade deal between the country and the United Kingdom to boost their businesses, an envoy has said.

In an interview with New Ziana on the sidelines of the 63rd edition of Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), British ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson said there was an open window for Zimbabweans to trade in anything they wanted in the UK duty free.

The UK joins other countries and blocs such as the United States and the European Union which have bounced back to the ZITF after years of hiatus.

“The good news is that we have a trade deal between UK and Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans can trade anything they want in the UK duty free, and the quota is also free. Locals can trade freely without any hurdles,” she said.

Robinson said there was an open access to the UK and the only thing Zimbabweans needed was to meet UK standards when exporting their products.

“Actually, I am happy that Zimbabweans are doing quite well and credibly successfully in areas of horticulture,” she said.

“In 2020 the UK and Zimbabwe signed a trade agreement called the Eastern and Southern African Economic Partnership Agreement (ESA EPA). This gives Zimbabwe exporters access to the UK market at most preferential terms.”

Turning to beef exports to the UK, Robinson said there were some issues on Zimbabwe exporting beef outside its borders due to foot and mouth, adding that they had been working with the country a few years back to check progress on the matter and steps that could be taken to solve the problem.

“The remaining step is on traceability. We are looking at ways we can support the country to make sure it overcomes that last hurdle,” she said.

She said they were exhibiting at this year`s edition of the ZITF to show local people some of the trading opportunities in the UK.

“A lot of people don’t know that they can trade in UK so freely. We have a British company building 35 state of the art clinics and hospitals. We have one ready for opening in Bulawayo,” she said.

She expressed confidence that next year they would be able to show case some of the works that they were carrying out in the country.

New Ziana