‘Scale Up trade with Zim’

ZIMBABWEAN President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Zambian private and public businesses to scale trade with their counterparts in his country. President Mnangagwa assured that the political leaders of the two countries were committed to strengthen relations and construct a better future as they stir the countries towards the attainment to become middle income economies by 2030. The visiting President said this at the investiture ceremony on the occasion of the 54th Independence anniversary celebrations at State House yesterday. Mr Mnangagwa said that through the established structures of the Zambia-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission, the two countries should scale up trade investments, defence, security, education, scientific and cultural cooperation. He reiterated that Zimbabwe was open for business adding that Zambian businesses at every level were welcome to partner with their counterparts in that country. President Mnangagwa reaffirmed his country's commitment to cooperating with Zambia at regional, continental and global levels for the benefit of people of both countries. "Let us develop reliable, adequate and approximate energy, transport and ICT infrastructure in our respective countries. Zimbabwe is open to business and Zambian businesses at every level scale up trade with their counterparts in Zimbabwe. All are welcome," he said. And Mr Mnangagwa said that Zambia's independence in 1964 marked the struggle for independence for most African countries in the Southern Region, saying that this was at the break of the Central African liberation and that the liberation movements would forever be grateful of the numerous sacrifices of the people towards the independence of the countries in the region. He said that the trials and tribulations of shared history between Zambia and Zimbabwe could not break bonds built and cemented for a century of shared cultural beliefs and aspirations and therefore, the two countries should build on the strong foundation and chat the way forward for a collective future guided by mutually beneficial interests. THE team of surgeons at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) who recently successfully separated the co-joined twins, Bupe and Mapalo were yesterday among many gallant Zambians who were honored by President Edgar Lungu at the event. Earlier, President Edgar Lungu and his Zimbabwean counterpart led several dignitaries in laying wreaths at the Freedom Statue in Lusaka in honour of the fallen heroes.