Zimbabwe is set to partner with Rwanda on cooperation on transport infrastructure development between the two countries.
The partnership has seen Zimbabwe proposing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda.
The proposal was made by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona when he paid a courtesy call on Rwanda’s Infrastructure Minister, Claver Gatete yesterday in his on-going working visit to the country.
Speaking at the proposal of the MOU Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona said infrastructure development was one of the key factors to develop and industrialise.
“To attain the desired levels of development and fully industrialise our economies and modernise our infrastructure, it is imperative that we develop reliable, adequate and appropriate transport infrastructure in various areas, including efficient railway facilities,” said Minister Mhona.
He added that the MOU for infrastructure development was going to bring investments from private partners in the transport sector.
“It is good practice in sectorial bilateral cooperation such as infrastructure development for our two sister countries to negotiate a broad MoU on cooperation regarding Transport Infrastructure Joint Venture.
“This will allow various State and quasi-State institutions under us to identify specific areas of cooperation as investment partners in respective areas such as road motor transportation, rail, aviation, inland water infrastructure, to name but a few,” said Minister Mhona.
Mhona assured that the government was going to share information about the proposed MoU between Zimbabwe and Rwanda of transport infrastructure revamp whilst insisting that he will circulate the message to his ministry to explore other areas which needs attention in infrastructure development.
“My country is ready to exchange text on this proposed broad Government-to-Government cooperation in the establishment of a transport infrastructure joint venture. I am sure my officials have already exchanged text of the MoU through diplomatic channels so that by the return date, we will be able to sign the same before the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation, which is proposed to be held some time in 2023.
“I, therefore, call upon the agencies, parastatals, boards and technical entities under our ministries to explore further areas of cooperation in infrastructure development, with the view to sign MoUs and agreements which take our relations forward,” he said.
Road motor transportation, rail, aviation and inland water infrastructure need to be improved in Zimbabwe as registered in the state of roads infrastructure across the country.
The government is currently working on rehabilitating the Masvingo road highway to improve the transport infrastructure which has been there for the last decade hence the cooperation between Zimbabwe and Rwanda will likely bring hope to the transport infrastructure development in Zimbabwe.
