Speaking in Portuguese before the invited guests and public at the ZITF in Bulawayo Friday, President Chapo delivered an address that underscored the historic, political, and economic bonds between the two neighbouring countries.
“Mozambique is Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe is Mozambique,” he declared.
“We are sister countries. We need to continue united as two sister parties, two sister countries, and two brotherly peoples.”
Coinciding with Zimbabwe’s 45th independence anniversary and Mozambique’s upcoming 50th independence celebrations, President Chapo said this convergence was symbolic of the strong shared history and the bright future that lies ahead for both nations.
“The 65th edition of the ZITF takes place in a particularly important year not only because it is held just a few days after the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the national independence in Zimbabwe but also because our country welcomes the 60th edition of the Maputo International Trade Fair which will take place from 25 to 30 August in Mozambique,” he said.
“This fare also takes place in the year when Mozambique celebrates 50 years of national independence. 45 years of Zimbabwe’s independence and 50 years of Mozambique’s independence. Two sister countries forever.”
The Mozambican leader said there was a need for joint efforts in industrialisation, which he described as the key to economic liberation.
“The sectors that Mozambique holds as the capital of development, especially the industrialisation of Mozambique, which is also the goal of industrialising Zimbabwe, will liberate our peoples economically, create jobs for our youth, give jobs to women in rural areas and create better living conditions for our people,” he said.
Chapo highlighted the importance of leveraging each country’s abundant natural resources to build sustainable economies, citing Zimbabwe’s reserves of gold, lithium, copper, forests, and arable land and Mozambique’s 35 million hectares of cultivable land, natural gas, minerals and access to critical logistics infrastructure.
He also pledged continued cooperation on infrastructure projects key to regional trade, such as the Beira Corridor, which connects Zimbabwe to the Port of Beira in Mozambique.
“The foreign direct investment projects with Zimbabwe and capital will continue to be cherished in Mozambique,” he affirmed.
“We will continue together as brothers through the Beira Corridor, the Port of Beira, the road connecting Beira to Zimbabwe, the Beira Line, the pipeline and our trade and agricultural fairs.”
President Chapo added that Mozambique was committed to facilitating trade not only with Zimbabwe but with other SADC nations and global markets, noting the benefits of regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In a gesture of economic diplomacy, President Chapo invited attendees to also participate in Mozambique’s premier trade event.
“We also seized this opportunity to invite all those in attendance to take part in the 60th edition of the Mozambican Maputo International Fair, in the scope of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence,” he said.
Chapo said Maputo’s upcoming event would provide a platform to showcase products and services from Mozambique and strengthen trade ties across the continent.
Reflecting on the long-standing cooperation between the two countries, President Chapo lauded the solidarity formed during the liberation struggles.
“It is an inescapable fact that the cooperation with Zimbabwe is extremely significant to Mozambique,” he said.
“Not only because we share common borders, but because of the deep historical ties of political existence, also economic and cultural ties, which date back to the times of our liberation struggle.”
He thanked Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe for the invitation to officially open the prestigious fair and hospitality received in Bulawayo.
“I take this opportunity, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the Mozambican people and on my own behalf, to address my profound thanks to the Government of Zimbabwe led by President Mnangagwa,” he said.
Chapo noted Mozambique had long regarded Zimbabwe as one of its key investment partners over the past three decades and expressed confidence in further deepening that relationship.
According to the ZITF Board Chair, Busisa Moyo, the ZITF continues to grow in stature as a leading regional trade event.
Moyo claimed this year, ZITF attracted 574 exhibitors, representing a 12 percent increase from 2024, while foreign exhibits surged by 91 percent, with 89 international companies showcasing their products and services.
President Chapo praised the ZITF for its role in promoting regional integration and economic resilience.
“This event welcomes global business leaders and companies that represent the very best of the economic fabric of Zimbabwe, the region, the continent and the world,” he said.
“It exposes the technological advances in industry, agriculture, and value-added services with a focus on promoting economic competitiveness.”
Chapo said Mozambique’s participation aimed to gather knowledge from key sectors, agriculture, transport, logistics and industry, to strengthen the private sector and promote sustainable development.
“Our participation in this event aims mainly at gathering experience from the various stakeholders… with a view to fostering economic recovery, innovation, sustainability, and resilience.”
Closing his remarks, Chapo highlighted the importance of empowering future generations.
“Our commitment to being here will be a commitment to my brother Mnangagwa that we will continue together because Mozambique is Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is Mozambique. We are two sister countries,” he said.
“We will continue to do business for the growth of our economies and the betterment of the lives of our people which is fundamental to our leadership and particularly to our youth.”