During the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa joint commission
held at the Victoria Falls from Saturday to Monday, the countries also
discussed ways of supporting the recovery of Zimbabwe's productive
sectors.
This included the opening of lines of credit, export credit insurance,
spatial development initiatives and trade facilitation measures, they
said in a joint communique issued on Monday.
The Zimbabwean delegation to the talks was led by its Foreign Minister
Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, while South Africa's was led by his counterpart
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
During the talks, the countries agreed to finalise negotiations on the
bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement, the memorandum
on economic co-operation and the avoidance of double taxation
agreement, according to the communique.
They also agreed to enhance co-operation in the generation and
distribution of power, with the establishment of a joint working
committee to discuss technical details.
Accord was reached on the enhancement of production in the mining
sector, the beneficiation of minerals, the finger-printing of precious
metals and the harmonisation of mining policies to attract investment.
South Africa and Zimbabwe were furthermore in one mind on the need to
finalise negotiations on a draft protocol on tourism and establish a
bilateral tourism technical committee ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
and with a eye on the Transfrontier Conservation Parks.
The countries exchanged views on collaborating to combat infectious
diseases and other health management issues, labour migration, human
settlement development and housing, public service administration, arts
and culture, youth, gender and community development.
They also advanced discussions on long standing immigration matters between the two countries.
They further resolved to work together on Zimbabwe's re-engagement with
the international community and in the lobbying for the lifting of
economic sanctions.
The Times (SA)/SAPA
Post published in: News