Malawi and Zimbabwe have agreed to work together to ensure that their bilateral relationship lasts to help propel the two countries’ economies forward.

Speaking in Lilongwe on Sunday at the opening of a three-day Joint Permanent Commission on Corporation (JPCC) meeting, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Mary Kachale called on delegates to engage in meaningful discussions which should result in the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that are demand-driven and result-oriented to serve as catalysts for the two countries’ socio-economic development.

Manzou (L) and Kachale on Sunday

She further urged those who were in attendance to use the JPCC framework and avoid making courtesy MoUs which would only end up on the shelve

Said Kachale: “It is my hope that our two countries will not only explore new areas of cooperation, but also make necessary frameworks and action plans to implement what will be agreed upon during this meeting.

“I believe that having a results-oriented approach and practical timeframes will enable us to make mileage in deriving benefits out of these engagements for sustainable socioeconomic growth that will benefit the peoples of our two nations.”

On his part, Zimbabwe Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador James Manzou said after the resuscitation of the JPCC in 2020, there has been steady progress in the implementation of MoUs in areas such as tourism and trade.

He said since 2020, both Malawi and Zimbabwe delegations have been attending tourism expos and trade fairs for each other’s country.

It is under this MoU that ZimTrade and Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) signed an MoU on trade and promotion activities through which ZimTrade organised 10 Zimbabwean companies to participate in a trade fair in Blantyre in 2022.

“ZimTrade also hosted five companies from Malawi for an inward trade mission. While these are commendable milestones I do believe that there is room for more since the potential is far more than what has been achieved so far,” said Manzou.

The JPCC meeting will culminate in a State visit by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa from May 31 to June 2 2023.

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