By ZBC Reporter
ZIMBABWE is set to boost its export receipts in light of revelations that negotiations for citrus exports to China are at an advanced stage.
After a positive outlook for 2020 with exports having grown by 2.7 percent buoyed by strong performance in mining and agricultural sectors, focus is now on diversifying the product base and markets.
According to the country’s trade promotional body, Zimtrade Client Services Manager Ms Vuyiswa Mafu there are massive opportunities in the United Arab Emirates and China for the country’s citrus products.
Yes, we have had negotiations with the UAE and our team came back last week after identifying opportunities from that market. But we have also opened avenues with China and there is a protocol that we have finalized that now awaits the green light from the government. Once that is done then we will be able to export to China, she said.
Citrus Producer Ms Heather Canterbury said expectations are that the process will be expedited at least before the end of the first quarter with Citrus producers already looking at maximising on this opportunity.
As the private sector, we are fully behind this initiative which will open lucrative deals for our industry. We are very committed to ensuring that once this deal is finalised then we begin to export our product, noted Canterbury.
Under the National Export Strategy launched last year, government expects a growth of ten percent to around 10 billion US dollars within the next five years.
But this can only be achieved through corresponding improvement in horticulture and textile exports after a subdued performance according to statistics released by Zimstat recently.
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