Zambia, Botswana record growing trade volumes

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes TRADE volumes between Zambia and Botswana is expected to be above the current US$ 24 million following the virtual trade and investment promotion mission which ended last week. Zambia has to date, recorded a positive trade balance with Botswana as evidenced by the export volumes rising from $31 million in 2015 to […]

Zambia, Botswana record growing trade volumes
BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes TRADE volumes between Zambia and Botswana is expected to be above the current US$ 24 million following the virtual trade and investment promotion mission which ended last week. Zambia has to date, recorded a positive trade balance with Botswana as evidenced by the export volumes rising from $31 million in 2015 to $ 24 million in 2019. This is according to High Commissioner of Zambia to Botswana, Mwansa Kapeya. Mr Kapeya said the just ended mission was expected to increase the trade volumes and investment prospects between Zambia and Botswana. He explained that the mission was just the beginning of the many endeavors for both countries to mutually benefit from each other’s comparative advantage. He cited Zambia’s major exports to Botswana as Copper, Oil Seeds and Oleaginous Fruits adding that through the initiation of mutually beneficial bilateral agreements both countries can harness potential exports such as sugar, cement, honey, dried vegetables and detergents from the Zambian side. “I therefore encourage local business enterprises to take advantage of this mission to showcase the various avenues for possible business partnerships with their selected Botswana counterparts,” Mr Kapeya said. He encouraged the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) to take advantage of the mission to establish a good relationship for future trade and investment missions. High Commissioner of Botswana to Zambia, Alpheus Matlhaku, observed the need for enhanced intra-African trade could not be over-emphasised as the continent continued with its efforts to reach high standards of living for its citizens. Mr Matlhaku said Botswana and Zambia enjoyed cordial and fraternal relations dating back to the pre-Independence era and formalised at Independence in 1966. He explained that the relations between the two countries covered a wide span of cultural, political, commercial and economic issues. “The nearly completed Kazungula Bridge Project and the One Stop Border Posts bear testimony to the deep and cordial relations that our two countries have enjoyed over the years. “It is imperative for all of us to ensure that the improved connectivity brought about by the Kazungula Bridge is fully exploited for mutual benefit,” Mr Matlhaku said.  And, ZDA acting Director General, Mukula Makasa, assured the Zambian private sector of the availability of the Agency in facilitating trade to offer a range of business development support services to enhance export volumes to Botswana and Africa. The Trade and Investment Mission organized and hosted by the ZDA in collaboration with the BITC, the Botswana High Commision in Zambia and the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry was focused on discussing the trade and investment opportunities available for business enterprises in the two countries. The Sun