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“During the visit to Belarus the delegation of Zimbabwe visited such enterprises as BelAZ, Minsk Automobile Plant, Minsk Tractor Works and Amkodor. We liked the presentation of Belarusian equipment very much, on the return to Zimbabwe we are planning to prepare purchase proposals. The Zimbabwean side would like to buy Belarusian vehicles instead of foreign analogues due to a number of objective reasons,” James Jonga stressed.

In his words, Zimbabwe is currently implementing large-scale infrastructure projects; therefore, the Belarusian equipment will be in demand there. “Zimbabwe is rich in natural resources. Our mining industry is vigorously developing; however, vast territories have not been explored yet. We have recently started using BelAZ quarry equipment at Hwange colliery, i.e. we have already seen how Belarusian machines perform. The Zimbabwean side is satisfied with everything. I think that Belarusian manufacturers will be able to do a lot in Zimbabwe,” the representative of the fund said.

He also added that apart from dump trucks, Zimbabwe is interested in Belarusian road, construction and farm vehicles. It is planned that the purchases will be made using financial resources of U.S. banks and, possibly, the Development Bank of Belarus.

“Belarus-Zimbabwe cooperation in other areas is also increasingly vibrant. Zimbabwe is a big manufacturer of high-quality cotton and tobacco. By the way, Zimbabwean tobacco is considered one of the best in Africa. At the negotiations in Minsk we discussed the prospects of direct supplies of Zimbabwean tobacco to Belarus without traders. Apart from that, we produce a lot of steel. I think that it can be used at Belarusian enterprises,” the permanent secretary of the fund said.

In his opinion, Belarus and Zimbabwe should step up efforts to promote tourism cooperation. “Our delegation got only positive impressions from the trip to Belarus. This pertains to wonderful nature, well-developed infrastructure, kind and hospitable people. People in Zimbabwe should learn more about the tourism potential of Belarus. At the same time, the Zimbabwean land can be attractive for Belarusian tourists. We have breathtaking landscapes and a unique natural landmark – Victoria Falls – which is located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Once in a lifetime people should see these places with their own eyes,” James Jonga added.

The visit of the Zimbabwean business delegation led by the director of the District Development Fund was held with the assistance of the Belarusian Embassy in South Africa. Nowadays Zimbabwe is focused on the modernization and retooling of agriculture, mining industry, construction, social and economic infrastructure. Experts say that the Zimbabwean side is interested in the best practices and potential of Belarus in these areas. Diplomatic relations between Belarus and Zimbabwe were established in April 1992. The Ambassador of Belarus to Zimbabwe (on concurrent) Andrei Molchan was accredited in Harare in February 2015 for the first time in the history of bilateral relations.