Moza third largest importer of Zim goods
ZIMTRADE is this year planning to hold an exhibition in Mozambique’s Manica Province to grow exports into the neighbouring country.
Speaking during the official opening of ZimTrade’s Eastern Region office in Mutare last week on Friday, the organisation’s chief executive officer, Mr Allan Majuru said Manicaland should take advantage of its proximity to Mozambique to grow exports into that market.
Mozambique is the third largest importer of Zimbabwean products.
“We shall also be taking advantage of Manicaland’s proximity to Mozambique to grow exports into that market. In 2020, Mozambique took goods worth US$354,3m from Zimbabwe.
“Last year, we conducted a market scan of the Manica Province and we are considering having an outward mission to that market this year. We look forward to having Manicaland companies coming out in full force to participate,” said Mr Majuru.
He said the opening of the Eastern Region office is meant to bring ZimTrade’s services closer to companies in Manicaland and Masvingo.
“In our new strategy, we will focus on the development of clusters in each province and I am happy to say Manicaland, with its vast potential, is one of our priority provinces to drive this initiative.
“We have worked with the Ndiadzo Group in Risutu Valley, getting them to be the first group to achieve Organic Certification in Chipinge. This will enable them to tap into the global organic market which is projected to total US$620 billion by 2026,” said Mr Majuru.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyere welcomed the opening of the Eastern Region office.
She said this will ensure that producers and manufacturers in remote areas will be exposed to export trade, which is line with the devolution agenda.
“The opening of an office here by ZimTrade is a very welcome move as this will ensure that even our most remote producers and manufacturers are exposed to export trade.
“With Manicaland’s proximity to Masvingo, this will also lead to the two provinces becoming important hubs for production and the exportation of unique products and services,” said Minister Matsikenyere.
She added: “As the nation works diligently towards the achievement of Vision 2030, Manicaland’s contribution is key in ensuring that the collective aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe are realised.
“Manicaland has all the five ecological agricultural regions and this allows the province to produce a range of agricultural products.
“The province’s natural resources need to be sustainably utilised in order increase Manicaland’s Gross Domestic Product.
“The geographical location of the province also positions the province for increased trade, as it is a strategic gateway to Mozambique,” said the minister.
“Every village has unique attributes that allows it to produce and export niche products.
“Key to the successful implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe is value addition and beneficiation of resources found in each district as opposed to exporting them in their primary form which fetches lower prices.
“Instead of moving bananas to Harare for further processing, value addition is expected to occur in Honde Valley or Chipinge, thereby benefiting the communities where these resources are being produced.
“Manicaland should cease being a production hub for raw materials which will latter on be value added in other provinces,” she said, adding: “We should strive to have a macadamia processing plant in Chipinge, as well as a banana processing plant in Burma valley,” said Minister Matsikenyere.
She pledged to augment ZimTrade’s efforts by engaging all relevant stakeholders to create an environment that is conducive for export trading.
ZimTrade board chairperson, Ms Clara
Mlambo, said Government is providing an environment that is conducive for doing business.
“Current trade statistics show that the country is overly reliant on the export of primary products, minerals (81 percent) and unmanufactured tobacco (nine percent), a situation that is not healthy for the country’s economy as it means that we are simply exporting jobs to other markets where these are then value-added.
“In 2022, ZimTrade has lined up a number of export development and promotion programmes that business players should take advantage of to grow their exports.
“Specifically on horticulture, which is dominant in this province, we are organising a Zimbabwe Dubai Business Forum next month which I encourage you to be part of. United Arab Emirates is a very interesting market, importing US$4,2b worth of fruits and vegetables, of which about 50 percent is destined for the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),” said Ms Mlambo.