The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, yesterday met British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Peter Vowles, in Harare as Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom moved to strengthen economic cooperation, expand investment opportunities and consolidate reform progress under the Second Republic’s re-engagement agenda.
Speaking after the meeting, Prof. Ncube said the discussions focused on deepening bilateral economic ties and widening opportunities for Zimbabwean and British companies across both markets.
“We held fruitful discussions with His Excellency Ambassador Peter Vowles on ways to deepen economic ties between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.
Our focus was on expanding investment opportunities for Zimbabwean and UK companies across both jurisdictions and ensuring that our economic partnership continues to grow in a mutually beneficial manner,” he said.
Ambassador Vowles commended Zimbabwe’s recent agreement with the International Monetary Fund on a new Staff Level Agreement for a Staff Monitored Programme, describing it as a significant development in the country’s reform process.
“Zimbabwe’s recent agreement with the IMF on a new Staff Level Agreement for a Staff Monitored Programme is a key milestone in the ongoing Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process.
The development demonstrated progress in Zimbabwe’s economic reform agenda and would help build international confidence,” he added.
The two delegations also examined prospects for reviving direct Harare – London flights, a move seen as critical in enhancing trade, tourism and business connectivity between the two countries.
“We also explored prospects for reviving the Harare-London flights between the UK and Zimbabwe.Improved connectivity will further strengthen commercial relations and people-to-people ties,” Prof Ncube said.
The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s health sector through multilateral institutions.
“The UK remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s health sector through multilateral institutions,” Ambassador Vowles said.
Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom have been working to rebuild and strengthen relations in recent years, with economic cooperation, debt resolution and sectoral support forming central pillars of the renewed partnership.
