The United Kingdom has signaled renewed commitment to strengthening relations with Zimbabwe through a modern, respectful and mutually beneficial partnership, with increased trade, investment and institutional cooperation emerging as key priorities in the two countries’ diplomatic engagement.
The commitment was reiterated by British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Gill Lever, during a courtesy call on Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, at the New Parliament Building, in Mt Hampden, yesterday.
Ambassador Lever said the engagement provided an opportunity to review the Speaker’s visit, which included meetings with his British counterpart, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and discussions on parliamentary democracy, accountability, legislative oversight and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The two also discussed trade and investment, Commonwealth affairs, people-to-people relations and the participation of women in political life.
“We’re in a very good space. I think our relationship is going from strength to strength. Both sides are very committed to a modern and respectful partnership where we can talk about matters of mutual interest and work on them together, trade and investment being one,” she said.
Ambassador Lever said the partnership also provided room for the two countries to engage constructively on more challenging issues.
Turning to economic cooperation, she said bilateral trade currently stood at approximately US$300 million annually in Zimbabwe’s favour, adding that both countries were keen to grow the volume of trade.
She highlighted cooperation in horticulture, particularly initiatives aimed at helping Zimbabwean farmers expand their exports to the British market.
The UK was also working with Zimbabwe to improve the business regulatory environment and attract more British investment, including in mining and through the local stock exchange.
Ambassador Lever cited the mutual recognition agreement between Zimbabwe’s Public Accountants and Auditors Board and the UK’s Financial Reporting Council as another example of practical cooperation, allowing suitably qualified auditors from both countries to pursue professional recognition and practice opportunities in each other’s jurisdictions.
The meeting also addressed Zimbabwe’s longstanding aspiration to rejoin the Commonwealth, which it left in 2003.
Ambassador Lever said Britain supported Zimbabwe’s return when the appropriate conditions were met, although the decision ultimately rested with the wider Commonwealth membership following a recommendation by the organisation’s Secretary-General.
She also referred to Advocate Mudenda’s visit to Lancaster House, where he became the first Zimbabwean Speaker to attend a live session and Question Time in the House of Commons.
The renewed diplomatic engagement comes as Zimbabwe continues to pursue its Engagement and Re-engagement Agenda, guided by its foreign policy principle of being a friend to all and an enemy to none.
