Deal on beef import finalized #zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has struck a deal with Namibia for the
supply of 1 000 tonnes of beef to meet the deficit
that has been created by drought, Zimbabwe
Ambassador to Namibia Chipo Zindoga has
said.The meat would be coming from the
northern communal areas of Namibia.
Addressing a Press conference in Namibia last
week, Ambassador Zindoga said the deal came
as a relief to Zimbabweans who were losing cattle
daily due to drought.
She dismissed fears that Zimbabwe could be
importing contaminated meat saying experts
certified the meat safe.
"It is normal that when meat is being exported
from point A to point B there would be fears that
there could be diseases in the meat since the
request was to export boned meat," said
Ambassador Zindoga.
"We managed to allay those fears after having
been assured by the professionals."
Ambassador Zindoga said the deal should be
sustained over a long time and Namibians should
also import agricultural produce from Zimbabwe.
"I also hope that our Namibian counterparts will
look at importing products like pork, chicken,
fruits and vegetables which are in demand in the
northern areas of that country," she said.
"There is an abundance of these in Zimbabwe. I
am aware that Namibia has infant industry
protection on chickens, but this is an issue that
can be discussed at the bilateral level. It would be
uneconomical for those refrigerated trucks to
drive back all the way from Zimbabwe empty."
Ambassador Zindoga stressed the need for both
countries to promote reciprocal trade to foster
regional integration. The two countries, said
Ambassador Zindoga, have strong relations but
have not managed to translate that into deeper
economic co-operation.
"Our business people have lagged behind for a
long time. The level of trade is very low when
there is great potential to do more," she said.
"The business people have failed to fully take
advantage of the Bilateral Preferential Trade
Agreement between our two countries. I am
optimistic that this initiative will go a long way in
ensuring a mutually beneficial trade and
investment relationship."
Zimbabwe was hit by drought last season
resulting in food shortages and some livestock
farmers having difficulties in feeding their animals,
while others are importing feeds.
Government and farmers unions are running
several projects to ensure farmers in drought-
stricken areas have access to stock feeds.