By Ntombi Mhlongo
Sectors including tourism, agriculture, trade, and investment are set to form part of a collaboration between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Zimbabwe.
It has been reported that the enhanced cooperation between the two nations is envisaged to start in a few months. The Zimbabwean publication, The Herald, quoted Eswatini Ambassador-designate to Zimbabwe Lindiwe Kunene saying that the two countries have discussed the cooperation plans.
Kunene was speaking after presenting credentials to President Mnangagwa at the State House in Harare on Saturday.
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“In the footsteps of my predecessors, I will cooperate with the government and the people of Zimbabwe for a mutual understanding between the two governments. We discussed areas of cultural promotion, agriculture, tourism, trade, and investment,” she was quoted as having said.
To be specific, the ambassador said the cooperation is most likely to commence in six months. It should be noted that already, the two countries have revived their relations following the granting of the Zimbabwean route to Eswatini Air.
Eswatini Air made its maiden flight to Zimbabwe on April 17, 2023, a milestone which has been regarded as one that has the potential of boosting trade ties between the two countries.
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The new route has been taunted as one that will allow the Eswatini airline to prosper and fulfil the purpose of its establishment, that is the transportation of passengers and goods between the two countries and other states both in the SADC region and the African continent as a whole.
Following the launch of the route, it is envisaged that the tourism sector of both countries will likely benefit the most. This is because tourism is one of the critical sectors of the economy in Zimbabwe with a target to achieve at least E90 billion by 2025.