🇿🇼ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Team Europe returns to ZITF with expanded development agenda
via NewsDay Zimbabwe6 min read
Team Europe, led by the European Union, has returned to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair for the fourth consecutive year, showcasing a broad partnership focused on trade, investment, and sustainable development. The unified pavilion features the EU Delegation and nine Member States, along with European businesses and cultural institutions. EU Ambassador Katrin Hagemann highlighted the strong economic ties, with trade reaching US$919 million last year, nearing the US$1 billion mark. The EU is Zimbabwe’s leading horticultural export market, supported by the Economic Partnership Agreement. To further boost export capacity, the EU is implementing a €7.8 million horticulture support program and has channeled over US$100 million in financing to local banks. The pavilion also features exhibitors in various sectors, EU-funded programs in climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy, and interactive platforms for entrepreneurs. The EU's development efforts extend to youth empowerment, education, and arts and culture, with initiatives like Erasmus+ and support for creative industries. Through its Global Gateway strategy, the EU is backing infrastructure and green transitions, including the Kariba Dam rehabilitation. This year's participation emphasizes the coherent Team Europe approach, aligning institutions and financial bodies to achieve measurable impact and support Zimbabwe's goal of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
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