By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
MATABELELAND South will host a major business and trade meeting with South Africa’s Limpopo Province in December, with the two regions set to explore investment opportunities and strengthen cross-border economic ties.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the meeting would bring together the Limpopo Premier, government officials and businesspeople to identify areas of cooperation between the two regions.
Speaking to the press on Saturday after officiating at a marathon between Zimbabwe and South Africa, Nguluvhe said the meeting was being organised under existing twinning arrangements between the neighbouring regions.
“We have an agreement between Limpopo Province and the provinces of Matabeleland South, Bulawayo and Matabeleland North, whereby we discuss business and trade,” Nguluvhe said.
He said Matabeleland South would host the meeting in December, although a venue had not yet been decided.
“I’m yet to decide whether we do it in Beitbridge or Gwanda,” he said.
Nguluvhe said the meeting was expected to attract a delegation from Limpopo, including the provincial premier and businesspeople, who would engage their Zimbabwean counterparts on potential investment and trade opportunities.
“We expect the Premier of Limpopo Province to come with a delegation, including businesspeople, so that we discuss business opportunities between the Matabeleland region and Limpopo Province,” he said.
Nguluvhe said the twinning arrangements involving Limpopo, Beitbridge, Musina and Gwanda had created a platform for strengthening relations between communities on both sides of the border.
The December meeting is expected to focus on practical economic opportunities, particularly trade and investment, as Zimbabwe and South Africa seek to deepen cooperation between their border provinces.
The engagement could also provide businesses in Matabeleland with an opportunity to forge partnerships with counterparts in Limpopo and tap into the economic potential created by the two regions’ close geographical and commercial ties.