EU eyes deeper trade ties with Zimbabwe
THE European Union (EU) says it wants to deepen economic ties with Zimbabwe, highlighting the country’s duty-free and quota-free access to markets as a major opportunity for trade and investment growth. Speaking during Europe Day celebrations in Harare, Katrin Hagemann said Zimbabwe had enjoyed privileged access to European markets since 2012. “Since 2012, Zimbabwe benefits […] The post EU eyes deeper trade ties with Zimbabwe appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
Black News 
THE European Union (EU) says it wants to deepen economic ties with Zimbabwe, highlighting the country’s duty-free and quota-free access to markets as a major opportunity for trade and investment growth.
Speaking during Europe Day celebrations in Harare, Katrin Hagemann said Zimbabwe had enjoyed privileged access to European markets since 2012.
“Since 2012, Zimbabwe benefits from privileged duty- and quota-free access to the markets of the 27 EU Member States,” she said.
Hagemann said the EU remained committed to expanding trade and investment relations with Zimbabwe despite global economic uncertainty.
“Fair and inclusive trade and investment can create jobs, foster innovation, and open new opportunities,” she said.
“We remain committed to deepening the economic partnership with Zimbabwe to promote shared prosperity.”
The ambassador said Zimbabwe’s youthful population and entrepreneurial culture made it an attractive economic partner.
“Zimbabwe, in particular, stands out for its rich cultural heritage, its dynamic young population, and its entrepreneurial spirit. These are powerful foundations for the future,” she said.
Hagemann said cooperation between Europe and Zimbabwe was increasingly important in a world facing economic and technological disruptions.
“In today’s interconnected world, the challenges we face, such as climate change, economic uncertainty, food security, or technological transformation, do not stop at borders,” she said.
The EU envoy also praised local organisations supported through European funding programmes, saying they were helping rural communities build sustainable businesses.
“Some of the gifts that you will receive at the exit were put together by Bio Innovation Zimbabwe and Zim Apiculture Trust,” she said.
“They work with rural smallholder farmers to develop business opportunities.”
She thanked Zimbabwean banks supporting the Europe Day event, including NMB Bank, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe and Ecobank Zimbabwe, describing them as “the bridge between finance and the private sector.”
The ambassador said the EU wanted a long-term partnership with Zimbabwe based on trust and cooperation.
“Let us continue building bridges between the European Union and Zimbabwe—with confidence, with respect, and with a shared sense of purpose,” she said.
Hagemann’s remarks come at a time the EU is set to launch a €7.8 million capacity-building project targeting Zimbabwe’s export horticulture sector, as bilateral trade between the two partners surges to US$919 million, hughlihting deepening economic ties.
Zimbabwean exporters also continue to benefit from duty-free and quota-free access to all 27 EU member states under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a trade regime credited with driving export growth and improving market access.
Latest figures show total EU-Zimbabwe trade reached US$919 million, with Harare recording a positive trade balance of US$328 million, highlighting the EU’s position as Zimbabwe’s most significant horticultural export market.
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