US-Zim trade increases

Despite the frosty relations between the USA and Zimbabwe, trade relations continue to improve.

Sharon Hudson-Dean, Counsellor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Harare said in a recent interview the US was also very actively involved in many programmes and outreach opportunities to "continuously improve and expand US/Zimbabwe relations".

Relations soured when the US slapped President Robert Mugabe and his former ruling Zanu (PF) party colleagues with targeted economic and travel sanctions in an attempt to pressurise for human rights reforms.

The political and economic goons cannot trade with the US and their firms are also not allowed to export their products there.

"Through the first four months of 2011, the US exported $17,7 million in goods to Zimbabwe and imported $6,9 million in goods from here.

"In 2010 total US goods exported to Zimbabwe were valued at $67,6 million and total imports were worth $58,9 million, which meant that there was a total annual bilateral trade volume of $126,5 million."

Total trade volume in 2009 stood at $107,6 million.

Current US First lady, Michelle Obama is visiting neighbouring Botswana and South Africa where she is addressing Young African Female Leaders.

Mrs Obama is not visiting Zimbabwe but will have the opportunity to address two female young leaders from the struggling nation, once the breadbasket of southern Africa.

The US recently praised diamond-rich Botswana and South Africa, saying they are very "democratic", very open and with an economic future unrivalled by none regionally.

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