Russia to set up industrial zone in Zim
ZIMBABWE and Russia yesterday signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) one of which seeks to facilitate the setting up of a Russian industrial zone here.
The MoUs were signed at Munhumutapa Government Offices following a meeting between Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov and President Mnangagwa.
The other two MoUs focus on mutual cooperation in industrial development and modernisation of Zimbabwe’s agriculture.
MoUs on the establishment of the industrial zone and mutual cooperation in industrial development were signed by Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mr Georgy Kalamanov.
The MoU to modernise agriculture was signed by Agriculture, Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri (Retired) and Mr Kalamanov.
Addressing a Press conference after meeting President Mnangagwa and the signing of the MoUs, Mr Lavrov said implementation was urgent.
“Professionals will go through these MoUs and will report to the leadership of the countries as well as to the ministries and I do not think this is going to take too much time,” Mr Lavrov said through an interpreter.
He said their discussions with the President focused on ways to improve economic relations between the two countries.
“Today during the meeting with the President, with the Vice President (Retired General Constantino Chiwenga), with the ministers from the economic bloc of the Government, we discussed issues meant to develop trade and economic ties between our countries,” said Mr Lavrov.
“We placed particular emphasis on the implementation of the joint project of
exploring the Darwendale platinum deposit, one of the largest in the world which is currently operated by a joint venture between Zimbabwe and Russia.”
He said Russia also wanted to invest in the country’s diamond sector.
“We also talked about the prospects of military and technical cooperation and we already have a working group in this particular subject under the aegis of the IDC.
“We are also paying attention to the international agenda with regard to which we coordinate our positions and priorities in particular within the UN,” Mr Lavrov said.
The Russian Foreign Minister said he was working with his Zimbabwean counterpart Lieutenant-General Sibusiso Moyo (Retired) on strengthening relations between Russia and the AU, Sadc and other sub-regional organisations.
Minister Moyo said Mr Lavrov’s visit had strengthened relations between two countries.
“The visit by my colleague Minister Lavrov has escalated the levels of bilateral relations between our two great nations which combine both political and economic ties,” Minister Moyo said.
“In particular, you are aware that we have got an inter-governmental commission between our nations and this year we are going to hold our next joint commission in Moscow so that we can solidify all the issues which have been discussed.”
He said Zimbabwe was hoping for an increased inflow of Russian tourists after it removed it from category C to B to facilitate easier visa access.
Countries in category B do not need to apply for a visa in advance.