Africa-Press – Botswana. There is need and urgency to establish a one stop border post at the Plumtree/Ramokgwebana border post, says Zimbabwean acting secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ms Rofina Chikava
Speaking during the ongoing 4th Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Botswana and Zimbabwe in Maun Tuesday, Ms Chikava also underscored the importance of the conclusion of the Ponta Technobanine Railway Line Project.
She said the projects had high level public interest as they were designed to achieve important development and social objectives of the two countries.
Central to all, she said was the noble idea of advancing border efficiency, ensuring free movement of people and trade facilitation.
However, Ms Chikava acknowledged that all the issues were work in progress and expressed gratitude that they had already taken some of the most significant steps forward to achieve the objectives.
In the previous session held at Victoria Falls in 2022, delegates agreed that the establishment of a one-stop border post in Plumtree was key to fighting cross border crime and enhancing free movement of goods and services. The Ponta Techobanine railway line is expected to facilitate trade between the two countries and other SADC countries.
During the then meeting, Zimbabwe’s secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr James Manzou, urged ministries charged with the responsibility to redouble their efforts in implementing the decision.
Ms Chikava urged delegates to pull together at the ongoing meeting and beyond to complete the work they started and deliver tangible results that would impact on the livelihoods of their communities.
Their consistency in convening the sessions of the BNC, she said, was a clear attestation to the seriousness in which the commission approached its commitments
Ms Chikava said she appreciated that the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two countries had continued to grow from strength to strength, citing that the bond of friendship had been further entrenched in frequent diplomatic contacts and regular exchange of visits at the highest level.
She said the working exchange visits by the state presidents, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa to participate in some important activities such as the 15th US/Africa Business Summit, the 5th Edition of the Kusi Ideas Festival, working visit at Victoria Falls among others saying “we still have fond memories of such visits given the close and deep fraternal relations between the heads of state.
Meanwhile, BNC gave the two countries a platform to speed up the process towards finalization of the agreements. The two countries signed an agreement to establish the BNC to promote and explore cooperation in a variety of areas including education, agriculture, defense and security, energy, environment as well as health.
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