BELARUS will soon start importing at least 3 000 tonnes of cotton from Zimbabwe annually, under one of the deals sealed following President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s historic visit to Harare last week.
He visited Zimbabwe from Monday to Wednesday, in what was the Belarusian leader’s first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Modalities to actualise the cotton deal are now in motion, with the arrangement set to boost Zimbabwe’s textile industry in various aspects, including resuscitation of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s clothing factory.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe and Belarusian Light Industries Minister Tatsiana Luhina met in Harare on Wednesday and confirmed the deal.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Luhina expressed commitment to supplying uniforms for the ZRP and other security services while also pledging to help resuscitate ZRP’s clothing factory.
Minister Kazembe said: “What is coming out of the visit from President Lukashenko and, in fact, what is coming out of their relationship is a very good mutually beneficial relationship and we can see the results. You heard President Mnangagwa saying we are not Presidents of speeches, we are doers; we make things happen; less speeches and more action and we can actually see things happening,” he said
“As a country, we are benefitting from this relationship and this is one thing that our President has always been saying, that we want a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Minister Kazembe said he had been invited by Minister Luhina to Belarus for a familiarisation and technical exchange visit that would see Zimbabwe adopting integrated smart technologies in its immigration and security services departments.
“They are really interested in working with us as a ministry and they have extended an invitation for a visit for us. They want to share with us their experience because Belarus is technologically more advanced than a number of other countries.
“So, they want to take us through their operations as far as smart policing is concerned and all the technology that they offer. Their textile industry is also quite sound and they supply uniforms throughout Eastern Europe and beyond, so this is all quite exciting,” said Minister Kazembe.
“We are simply following in our Presidents’ footsteps, who have made it clear that we are taking our cooperation to another level.”
Minister Luhina said they had already agreed to import a first consignment of three containers of cotton, which would precede the 3 000 tonnes.
“We held meetings with Cottco (Cotton Company of Zimbabwe) and we told them we would like to import two or three containers in June and if the quality is good, we would like to import up to 3 000 tonnes of cotton from Zimbabwe,” she said.
Minister Luhina said she was impressed by Zimbabwe and was looking forward to sharing more experiences at ministerial level with her Zimbabwean counterparts.
“Today, during the visit to Minister Kazembe, we wanted to show the potential of our country and our ministry. We are ready to share experiences of our country in various government ministries and we invite you to come to Belarus.
“As our President Lukashenko said yesterday, our cooperation should now go to the next level between our countries as it is very important. We can share our technology; we are open to cooperation between our countries,” she said.
ZRP’s Deputy Commissioner- General Stephen Mutamba expressed interest in Belarus’ capability to make uniforms and provide materials such as all-weather tents and riding kits.
Responding to DCG Mutamba, Minister Luhina said: “We can offer you construction of different types of tents, all you have to do is just show us models of what you need.
“We are ready to send you samples and the construction models. Belarus is home to Mogotex, which produces high quality fabric and uniforms for Russia’s spacemen and is the biggest in Eastern Europe.” – Sunday Mail
