Zimbabwe is seeking to expand its economic ties with Belarus, focusing on agricultural machinery imports and dairy products while offering fruits and cotton in return.
The latest push for economic cooperation was highlighted during a meeting between Zimbabwe’s Women Affairs and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and the leadership of the Belarusian Women’s Union in Minsk on Tuesday.
Mutsvangwa noted that more than 70 percent of Zimbabweans work in rural agriculture, underscoring the importance of modern equipment such as tractors and combine harvesters to boost productivity.
“We want to be partners with you. More than 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s people work in rural areas on farmlands,” Mutsvangwa said.
The minister expressed interest in Belarusian dairy products, praising their quality and signalling Harare’s readiness to import them while supplying seasonal fruits unavailable in Belarus during winter.
Beyond agriculture, Zimbabwe is eager to develop its textile and leather industries, aiming to export cotton to Belarus while leveraging Belarusian expertise to refine its processing techniques.
Zimbabwe has longstanding relations with Belarus, particularly in areas of mining, agriculture and education.
These ties were reinforced by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Zimbabwe in 2019, paving the way for increased cooperation.
Mutsvangwa is part of the Zimbabwean delegation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is currently on an official visit to Belarus.
JN/APA