HARARE, ZIMBABWE — China and Zimbabwe have agreed to deepen economic and trade cooperation, with both sides seeking stronger investment, expanded trade and greater industrial value addition.
The commitments followed the 11th Session of the China-Zimbabwe Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation held in Harare and co-chaired by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira and Chinese Assistant Minister of Commerce Zhang Li.
Mr Murwira said Zimbabwe remains committed to expanding trade, promoting investment and strengthening economic linkages with China.
He noted that cooperation between the two countries has supported development in sectors including energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
Mr Murwira also welcomed China’s zero-tariff treatment for African countries, pointing to Zimbabwe’s first blueberry shipment to China in July as an example of new export opportunities.
Ms Zhang said bilateral trade has continued to expand and described Zimbabwe as an important African destination for Chinese investment.
The two sides agreed to further expand and optimise bilateral trade, encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Zimbabwe and support the extension and upgrading of the country’s mining industrial chain.
They also agreed to accelerate negotiations on an Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement and continue implementing cooperation commitments under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the minutes of the 11th Joint Commission session, setting out areas for continued economic, technical and trade cooperation.