Interview: China-Africa trade expo catalyzes economic cooperation, says Zimbabwean official
In a written interview, Majuru showered praise on the expo for helping Zimbabwean companies to gain more knowledge about the requirements of the Chinese market.
"The CAETE plays a pivotal role in deepening China-Africa cooperation by facilitating trade and investment opportunities, encouraging knowledge and technology transfer, and strengthening diplomatic and economic ties," he said.
"For Zimbabwe, the expo served as a strategic platform to explore best practices, market trends, and trade opportunities within the Chinese market. Zimbabwean enterprises gained valuable insights into product standards, packaging requirements, and consumer preferences, which are critical for enhancing export competitiveness," Majuru added.
The expo, which was held in central China's Hunan Province from June 12 to 15, gathered nearly 4,700 Chinese and African companies as well as over 30,000 participants. According to Zimtrade, a total of 10 Zimbabwean companies participated in the expo, covering various sectors, including horticulture, craft and leather products.
"The participants reported positive outcomes, including networking opportunities, secured deals, and potential partnerships with Chinese buyers. The expo provided them with firsthand exposure to China's market dynamics, helping them refine their export strategies," Majuru said.
Zimbabwe is already benefiting from existing trade protocols with China, particularly for citrus and avocado exports, and during the expo, significant potential was identified for macadamia nuts in the Chinese market, he said.
"To capitalize on these opportunities, the government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and in collaboration with ZimTrade, is actively working to align local production with Chinese market demands, ensuring compliance with international standards," Majuru said, adding that initiatives such as capacity-building workshops, trade missions, and exporter training programs are being implemented to strengthen Zimbabwe's export readiness.
The CEO said that given the growing demand for Zimbabwean products in China, ZimTrade anticipates increased local participation in future expos.
"ZimTrade, as the national trade development and promotion organization, is intensifying efforts to prepare more exporters through targeted initiatives such as business seminars, business-to-business matchmaking programs and follow-up trade missions to sustain business linkages," he said.
"Additionally, the government of Zimbabwe is fostering an enabling trade environment through policy support, including the implementation of bilateral trade agreements and export incentives, ensuring that local businesses maximize such platforms," he added.
"For Zimbabwe and China, the expo serves as a catalyst for enhanced trade relations, building on existing frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and bilateral trade protocols," the CEO said, adding that Zimbabwe's participation underscores the government's commitment to expanding exports under the "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" mantra, with ZimTrade spearheading market penetration strategies.
"These strategies aim to increase awareness of Zimbabwean products in China, strengthen institutional linkages between trade agencies, and align policy to ease market access for Zimbabwean goods," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
15 minutes ago
- The Star
China, India pledge to resume flights as Beijing's top diplomat wraps up visit
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Beijing's Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Aug 19, 2025. - Indian Press Information Bureau/AFP BEIJING: China and India announced they would restart direct flights in a string of diplomatic breakthroughs, state media reported Wednesday (Aug 20), as Beijing's foreign minister wrapped up a visit before heading to Pakistan. Following Wang Yi's trip to India, Beijing and New Delhi also agreed to advance talks on their disputed border, resume tourism visa issuance and boost trade between the neighbouring countries. In talks on the border issue with Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval, the two sides agreed to "explore the possibility of advancing boundary demarcation negotiations" and vowed to reopen three border trade markets, according to a Xinhua report Wednesday. Relations between the world's two most populous countries soured after a deadly border clash in 2020. But a thaw began last October when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time in five years at a summit in Russia. Modi will travel to China later in August -- his first visit since 2018. Wang is now due in Pakistan, India's arch-rival and one of China's closest partners in the region. "Both India and Pakistan are China's important neighbours. We are willing to enhance friendly cooperation with both countries, and hope that differences between these two countries can be handled properly", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press conference Tuesday. She described China and Pakistan as "ironclad friends and all-weather strategic partners". China has poured tens of billions of dollars into Pakistan to fund massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects -- part of Beijing's transnational Belt and Road scheme. Islamabad used Chinese-made military hardware, including jets, against India during a four-day conflict in May that killed more than 70 people. The conflict was sparked by an attack on tourists by gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing -- a charge it denies. Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, which have fought several wars over the Muslim-majority region since their 1947 independence from British rule. Wang said that China supported Islamabad in defending "national sovereignty and territorial integrity", in talks with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in May, days after Islamabad and New Delhi agreed a ceasefire. Wang is due in Pakistan until Friday and will meet with Dar for the sixth round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, China's foreign ministry said Tuesday. - AFP
The Star
15 minutes ago
- The Star
Hong Kong exchange reports jump of nearly 40% in first-half profit
HONG KONG's stock exchange operator said on Wednesday its first half profit reached HK$8.52 billion ($1.09 billion), up almost 40%, driven by a sharp increase in daily stock trading and a revived listings market. The revenue of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) reached HK$14.1 billion in the past six months, up 33% on the year, it said in a stock exchange filing. It declared an interim dividend of HK$6, up from HK$4.36 last year, while earnings per share rose to HK$6.74 from HK$4.84. HKEX said its average daily equities turnover, or buying and selling of stocks, rose 122% in the half to be worth HK$222.8 billion ($28.54 billion). South-bound stock trading, where mainland investors trade Hong Kong shares, was up nearly 200%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index is up almost 25% year to date, making it one of the world's best performing major equities markets. Analysts say the surge in the benchmark index has been driven by foreign investors' return to buying Chinese stocks, despite U.S President Donald Trump's April tariffs package and geopolitical tension between the two countries. ($1=7.8068 Hong Kong dollars) - Reuters
New Straits Times
15 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Govt recognises all races' role in nation building, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged the significant contributions of Chinese Malaysians to the nation's economy, saying their role must be recognised when shaping government policies. He said government schemes such as the Government Guarantee Scheme for businesses were not racially biased, but reflected the communities most active in business and finance — in this case, Chinese Malaysians. "We don't pick them because they're Chinese, but coincidentally, they are the ones who dominate and contribute most to the economy. "I am not ashamed to say this, as they are the largest contributors to our country's economy and growth," he said at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly today. Anwar said assistance to other communities, including Malays and Indians, would continue to be channelled according to need, particularly to address poverty and education gaps. "For Mitra, the allocations were increased by RM20 million. "There are programmes that used to cater specifically to Bumiputeras, but allocation for this has now reached RM50 million to extend its reach to other races. "Funds also go into education and training programmes, including the TVET specialised training in China, with about 150 Indian youths involved. "This shows our approach is based on needs, not race. "For example, while the Indian community is a minority, they form the poorest group among the poor. "So we must address this, not because they are Indian, but because of their socioeconomic reality." The prime minister made these remarks following claims that the government had sidelined the Indian community. During the Prime Minister's Question Time in Parliament yesterday, Anwar said various forms of assistance were provided beyond the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra). He said allocations for the Indian community were channelled comprehensively through multiple ministries and not solely concentrated under Mitra, which receives an annual RM100 million allocation. He added that other programmes under different ministries benefited the community in areas such as education, housing and business. Anwar also said RM972 million was distributed this year through Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, up from about RM500 million in 2022. ] Meanwhile, on the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), he said it was a more meaningful and targeted programme aimed at developing the Bumiputera socio-economy in the long term and ensuring substantive participation. "Whatever weaknesses there are, we will improve in Budget 2026. We are listening to all views, and adjustments will be made. What we are doing now is not necessarily perfect — that's why the dialogue must continue," he said. Also present at the assembly were Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying.
