24-04-2013, 03:53 PM
Pretoria - Sustainable partnerships should be fostered between South African and Zimbabwean business people to contribute to economic growth, says Trade and Industry (dti) Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe.
Speaking during the official opening of the South African pavilion at the 54th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Thabethe said the dti wants to see economic development and growth on the African continent.
“We as the dti have a mandate to support companies market their products internationally, identify markets outside the country and network with companies from other countries of the world. We want to see economic development and growth in the African continent,†she said.
The deputy minister is leading a group of 47 South African companies that are participating in the trade fair. The 47 companies are an increase from the 34 companies that participated in the multi-sectoral, multi-national fair last year. The trade fair is widely recognised as the largest intra-regional trade fair south of the Sahara with this year’s theme at the exhibition being “Building value, Enhancing growthâ€.
The Zimbabwean economy has much to offer in terms of opportunities that business people from both countries can take advantage of and explore.
South African ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela said that economic and trade relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe need to be strengthened even further for the benefit of citizens of both countries.
Mavimbela identified cooperation and partnerships in infrastructure development as one of the most important initiatives that both nations have undertaken with the aim of strengthening relations.
He said the Zimbabwean road network rehabilitation and construction by the South African company, Group 5, was one of the ways in which relations between the two countries were being strengthened, and partnerships fostered
“Only two weeks ago Group 5, supported by the Southern African Development Bank, launched the first major toll road in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the bank is investing in Zimbabwe in the tune of more than R2 billion for the next two years. The construction of the roads in Zimbabwe and the investment by the development are underwritten by the South African government. This further makes point that relations between two countries must be strengthened,†said Mavimbela.
The trade fair will conclude on Saturday. – SAnews.gov.za
Speaking during the official opening of the South African pavilion at the 54th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Thabethe said the dti wants to see economic development and growth on the African continent.
“We as the dti have a mandate to support companies market their products internationally, identify markets outside the country and network with companies from other countries of the world. We want to see economic development and growth in the African continent,†she said.
The deputy minister is leading a group of 47 South African companies that are participating in the trade fair. The 47 companies are an increase from the 34 companies that participated in the multi-sectoral, multi-national fair last year. The trade fair is widely recognised as the largest intra-regional trade fair south of the Sahara with this year’s theme at the exhibition being “Building value, Enhancing growthâ€.
The Zimbabwean economy has much to offer in terms of opportunities that business people from both countries can take advantage of and explore.
South African ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela said that economic and trade relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe need to be strengthened even further for the benefit of citizens of both countries.
Mavimbela identified cooperation and partnerships in infrastructure development as one of the most important initiatives that both nations have undertaken with the aim of strengthening relations.
He said the Zimbabwean road network rehabilitation and construction by the South African company, Group 5, was one of the ways in which relations between the two countries were being strengthened, and partnerships fostered
“Only two weeks ago Group 5, supported by the Southern African Development Bank, launched the first major toll road in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the bank is investing in Zimbabwe in the tune of more than R2 billion for the next two years. The construction of the roads in Zimbabwe and the investment by the development are underwritten by the South African government. This further makes point that relations between two countries must be strengthened,†said Mavimbela.
The trade fair will conclude on Saturday. – SAnews.gov.za