Khartoum: Zimbabwe announced Sunday its readiness to meet Sudan’s tea needs after the government banned imports from Kenya in protest against the latter’s hosting of a so-called founding conference to announce a parallel government for the terrorist rebel militia and its allies at the end of last February.
According to Sudan News Agency, Acting Minister of Trade and Supply Omar Ahmed Mohamed Ali Banafair met in his office at the Ministries Complex on Sunday with Zimbabwean Ambassador Emmanuel Gombo. Ambassador Gombo affirmed Zimbabwe’s desire to enhance cooperation and trade and economic exchange between the two countries in general.
The Zimbabwean ambassador highlighted that his country exports approximately 11,000 tons of tea annually, in addition to tobacco, and ranks first in Africa with a production rate of 21%. In statements to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the ambassador affirmed the two countries’ keenness to take immediate and practical steps to sign memoranda of understanding to increase and encourage investment between the two countries via the public and private sectors in all fields.
Ambassador Gombo reiterated Zimbabwe’s firm position in support of Sudan and its territorial integrity. For his part, the minister noted the strength of bilateral relations between Sudan and Zimbabwe and the high level of coordination between them in regional and international forums.