Lukashenko State visit: Signing of mega deals on the cards

Harare- BELURISIAN President Alexander Lukashenko’s three-day State visit will pave way for the signing of multi-sectoral deals ,Express Mail Zim has learnt.

Lukashenko touched down at Robert Mugabe International airport Monday afternoon and was treated to a rousing welcome by Zimbabweans drawn from all walks of life.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa led the welcoming entourage which comprised of cabinet ministers ,diplomats and top businessmen.

Political analysts who spoke to this publication said the historic visit signifies the success of the Second Republic ‘s re-engagement policy.

” First things first , I can put it to you that Lukashenko has never visited any country in Sub Saharan Africa,it’s a first and by virtue of that record ,he is showing commitment to cement the bilateral relations between Belarus and Harare.
” We expect to see deals been signed in areas like mining, agriculture and ICT among other key sectors .

“Remember this is a continuation of an already existing cordial relationship as evidenced by the agriculture equipment that has been sourced from Belarus before and agriculture is a key pillar of our economy,” said a political analyst who preffered anonymity.

Apart from policy interventions by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) , cementing relations with other countries serve as an impetus to achieve the country’s target of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

The discussions between Belarus and local businessmen already kicked off Monday as the visiting business delegation met and tabled their proposals to locals and vice – versa.

This engagement is expected to set the tone for signing of mega deals.

On Tuesday, the two Presidents will also have candid discussions with business delegations from both countries to map way forward regards business synergies and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Belarus has begun building economic bridges with Africa to increase its export revenue and diversify its trade relationships.

The country has a population of 10 million and has capability to make products that Zimbabwe needs for instance mining equipment, agricultural equipment, heavy-duty trucks, road-building and construction equipment, and machine tools.

The products are sturdier and cheaper than those made in many developed countries.

Considering that Zimbabwe has an agro based economy , a trade partnership with Belarus will see the country benefiting from Belarus’ agricultural technology that Zimbabwe could use to grow food more efficiently.

It also produces agricultural products such as fertilizer.

Meanwhile, Belarus’ preferential trade relationship with Russia means that it has access to oil at a discount price. As such, the country mostly exports fuels and lubricants (around 33 percent of all exports) and has traditionally excelled at heavy industry being one of the world’s largest suppliers of mining and quarrying vehicles.

This equipment is needed in Zimbabwe to boost the mining sector and accelerate the beneficiation process of the country’s rich mineral resources.

Recently,large deposits of Lithium were discovered in areas like Mutoko,Goromonzi,Mberengwa and Mazowe and there is need for proccesing.