JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – Zimbabwe is working on plans to construct a road and rail network under a tripartite arrangement involving Zimbabwe, Belarus and China, the Herald reported.
The road and rail are to link the Indian and Atlantic oceans, across Southern Africa and through Zimbabwe.
The scheme, according to the Chief of Presidential Affairs of Belarus Victor Sheiman, involves several Southern African countries and indications are that a number of regional leaders have already expressed support for it.
This came into light following Mnangagwa’s state visit to Belarus where he met his counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. The visit has seen two countries sealing nine agreements that will see both countries enhancing co-operation.
The agreements cover various aspects of education and training, science and technology, agriculture and legal issues such as extradition.
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri — who is the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade — signed for Zimbabwe while representatives from Belarus put pen to paper on their country’s behalf.
Presidents Mnangagwa and Lukashenko oversaw the signing ceremony at the Presidential Palace here.
Beyond those agreements, which further enhance the burgeoning ties between Harare and Minsk, the two Presidents made significant headway in major infrastructure, industrial manufacturing, and agricultural projects that will change the face of Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe would walk the talk on the agreements, adding he had invited the Belarussian leader to visit Harare at his earliest convenience to further consolidate the relationship.
“This is how it should be between friendly countries,” said Mnangagwa.
“Zimbabwe shall benefit immensely from the experience that Belarus has had.
They have gone through similar challenges as we are presently going through.
“It is the desire of my administration to widen and deepen our economic cooperation. There is no doubt in my mind that we shall walk the talk on the thing we are talking about here.”
© Bur-JHB – M.C – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_en
