Responding to questions on the implications of Brexit, and
the final arrangements that came into force at the beginning of this year, and
what it means to Zimbabwe, the British embassy in Harare said last year
Zimbabwe ratified an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the UK.
“Following the end of the transition period, the EPA now
allows Zimbabwean exporters to continue to enjoy tariff and quota-free access
to the UK market, laying the foundation for a strong trade partnership in the
future,” said UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Melanie Robinson.
Britain will continue to support Zimbabwean businesses and
jobs for economic development.
“The total trade in goods and services — both exports and
imports — between Britain and Zimbabwe in the four quarters to end of the
second quarter of 2020 was US$412m.”
The development comes as the two countries’ diplomatic ties
intensify, which dovetails into President Mnangagwa engagement and
re-engagement drive.
Last year, the British government announced a US$43,6
million aid package towards Covid-19 medical supplies to assist in fighting the
pandemic in Zimbabwe.
The EPA with Britain, ratified last October, allows
Zimbabwean exporters access to UK markets free of tariffs and quotas and is
expected to boost trade and investment between the two countries as
Government’s re-engagement drive continues to bear fruit.
The ratification of the EPA follows the withdrawal of the
UK from the European Union, meaning it can no longer trade under the Eastern
and Southern Africa-EU EPA.
Last year, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini,
Lesotho and Mozambique signed the same EPA trade deal with the UK.
Speaking after the ratification of EPA, Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Minister, Dr Sibusiso Moyo said the ratification of the
deal was a big step in the country’s re-engagement efforts.
“This is a huge step for Zimbabwe’s re-engagement efforts.
The signing of this partnership will undoubtedly bring increased trade and
investment to Zimbabwe,” said Dr Moyo.
Ms Robinson welcomed Zimbabwe’s decision to ratify the EPA.
“Glad Zimbabwe has ratified the Economic Partnership Agreement with the UK.
This ensures that exporters continue to enjoy tariff and quota free access to
the UK market.
“The UK supports Zimbabwean businesses and jobs for
economic development,” she wrote on her Twitter handle.
Britain voted to leave the EU following a referendum held
in June 2016 and has since been negotiating separate trade deals.
Turning to the level four lockdown measures, the embassy
said it understood the requirement for the Zimbabwean Government to adhere to
World Health Organisation guidelines on containing the spread of Covid-19.
The UK last week announced the allocation of an extra
US$5,4m funding to feed some of those worst affected by the humanitarian
challenges in Zimbabwe, which have been exacerbated by Covid-19.
This additional aid to Zimbabwe, she said, was part of a
wider package of emergency aid for some of the most vulnerable countries in the
Sahel, Syria, South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda, Venezuela and Mozambique.
Over the last 10 years, the UK has spent more than $1
billion in aid in Zimbabwe. The UK is one of the countries that have been
assisting Zimbabwe in times of need, including when the Southern African
country was hit by the tropical Cyclone Idai and the Covid-19 pandemic. Herald
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