• PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu (right) addresses the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe yesterday. In the front row are First Lady Esther (second left), Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (3rd left) and his wife Grace. Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

By CATHERINE NYIRENDA in Harare and DELPHINE  ZULU –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said that trade and investment relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe have strengthened with Zambia’s exports to her neighbour exceeding US$1.3 billion.
Meanwhile President Lungu has directed Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe to work with her Zimbabwean counterpart and ensure that the Victoria Falls-Livingstone one-stop border post is operationalised soon.
President Lungu said the trade and investment relations between the two countries have strengthened over the years.
“From 2010 to 2014, exports into Zimbabwe exceeded $1.3 billion while imports from Zimbabwe into Zambia over the same period were above $486 million,” he said.
President Lungu was speaking when he officially opened the 56th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo yesterday, which was being organised under the theme: ‘Stimulating trade, seizing opportunities to accelerate growth.’
He said private sector players from Zambia had invested in Zimbabwe and those in that country had invested in Zambia.
President Lungu said the trade between Zambia and Zimbabwe continued to soar because the two countries had a rich history of friendship and that Zambia and Zimbabwe are like Siamese twins joined together by the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls.
Zambia and Zimbabwe have worked together in the implementation of important projects such as the construction and management of the Kariba Dam, the establishment of a one-stop border post at the
Chirundu border and the co-hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) conference in 2013, among others.
In an effort to stimulate trade, Government is committed to ensuring that the two countries enhanced trade.
Meanwhile President Lungu has directed Ms Mwanakatwe and her Zimbabwean counterpart to ensure that the Victoria Falls-Livingstone one-stop border is operational.
“I am directing my Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Margaret Mwanakatwe to closely work with her Zimbabwean counterpart and ensure that the Victoria Falls – Livingstone one-stop border post which was declared by your Excellency (president Robert Mugabe) and your departed Comrade, President Michael Sata during the official opening of the UNWTO in 2013, is operationalised,” Mr Lungu said.
He said all border agencies in both countries should complement the efforts of the private sector  and ensure that trade between the two countries flows smoothly and uninterrupted.
President Lungu said the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair has traditionally been one of the region’s leading trade fairs.
He said the theme of the trade fair was befitting, as the fair came at a time when the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) was implementing reforms aimed at stimulating trade within the region.
President Lungu thanked President Mugabe for according him the opportunity to see the achievements which Zimbabwe has made in the economic fields and other sectors.
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair chairperson Bakhitemba Nkomo was impressed with the high quality of the exhibition at this year’s trade fair.
Mr Nkomo appreciated the presence of President Lungu and his entourage at the show.
“Your presence is highly appreciated as there is so much we can learn from each other as neighbours,” Mr Nkomo saidb
Zimbabwe Industry and Commerce minister Mike Bimha said the country was honoured with the presence of Mr Lungu and his entourage which included Ms Mwanakatwe, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and other Government officials.
“We receive the President to Zimbabwe with love, we are honoured to have a great man in our midst to grace the trade fair.
The President also toured some local and foreign stands and awarded prizes to some deserving exhibitors.
President Lungu has since returned home soon after opening the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
The Presidential challenger left Bulawayo airport at about 17:30 hours for Lusaka.
The President emphasised the need to ensure that the SADC extraordinary summit adopted regional strategy and roadmap on industrialisation is beneficial to Zambia.
Mr Lungu arrived at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka around 18:30 hours and said his trip to Zimbabwe was a success because a number of issues were discussed including recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The President urged countries in the Southern African region to improve their economies to avoid migration.