Malawian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Professor Richard Phoya said the continued existence of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe is having a negative impact on the country’s development.

Prof Phoya, who was posted to Zimbabwe eight months ago, made the remarks after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Joice Mujuru at her Munhumutapa Offices in Harare.

Prof Phoya’s meeting with Cde Mujuru was the first since he assumed duty as Malawi’s top diplomat in Zimbabwe.

In an interview after meeting Cde Mujuru, Prof Phoya said the effects of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe are so glaring considering that Zimbabwe was one of the countries in the Southern Africa region that had made great strides in developing its infrastructure after attaining independence. On the progress made by the inclusive government, Prof Phoya commended the three principals of the Global Political Agreement saying the accord has been a unifying force which has brought stability to the country.

Zimbabwe and Malawi share excellent relations which were further strengthened in 2007 when the two governments signed a revised bilateral trade agreement which is aimed at promoting two way trade.

Trade before 2007 was biased in favour of Zimbabwe.

The new agreement has resulted in growing volumes and enhanced flow of trade between the two countries.

Before the 2007 accord, trade between the two countries was governed by a Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement that came into force in 1995.

Zimbabwe is Malawi’s largest export market after South Africa.

 

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