Zambia, Zimbabwe Boost Trade Ties at Joint Committee Meeting
Zambia and Zimbabwe have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation during the 5th Joint Trade and Customs Committee (JTCC) meeting, held in Livingstone.
The gathering brought together senior government officials to address cross-border trade challenges and unlock new investment opportunities between the two neighboring countries.
Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Investment and Industrialisation, Mr. Crusivia C. Hichikumba, underscored the importance of the JTCC in advancing economic collaboration.
He called for the urgent removal of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) such as surtaxes and levies on essential goods, which he said continue to hamper trade efficiency and strain regional value chains.
“Our shared prosperity depends on a unified approach to resolving trade constraints. We must remove bottlenecks and align our efforts with regional frameworks such as SADC, COMESA, and the AfCFTA,” said Mr. Hichikumba.
Zimbabwe’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, echoed the sentiment, advocating for open and honest dialogue to tackle operational challenges.
“Economic development is a shared journey. Zimbabwe remains committed to strengthening this partnership and honoring our regional and international trade obligations,” he said.
The meeting comes at a crucial time as both countries seek to accelerate economic recovery, deepen value addition, and promote industrial growth. Key focus areas include border efficiency, customs coordination, trade facilitation, and skills development.
The JTCC is viewed as a vital platform for advancing mutual economic interests, with the potential to yield tangible outcomes that will benefit citizens and businesses on both sides of the Zambezi River.
