MORE investment deals have been sealed between Zimbabwe and Rwandese investors as the three day Zimbabwe -Rwanda Trade and Investment Conference ended in Harare this Wednesday.

As the curtain comes down on the Zimbabwe Rwanda Trade and Investment Conference which started on Monday, it has emerged that the deliberations have been largely successful as more business and investment deals have been sealed.

This was revealed by Zimtrade Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allan Majuru at a joint news conference held in Harare this Wednesday.

“This was a fruitful event that will harness trade ties between the two countries and I can tell you that apart from the MOUs which were signed on the first day of the conference we have further come up with deals including in mining where Rwanda has signalled a huge interest to invest in. We have also come up with deals in energy generation as well agro-processing and this is courtesy of this summit,” he said.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, Zephanie Niyonkuru described their tour as defining moment in opening up investment avenues between Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

“So far, part of our delegation and most of the business people who came with us have clinched investment deals with their counterparts here in Zimbabwe, but I am impressed by the opportunities that lie in the area of financing where our Financial Centre can become a conduit to strike some structured finance deals with our trading partners especially given the fact that Financial Centres are not so common in this Southern part of Africa,” said Niyonkuru.

Impressed by the local investment landscape and opportunities, Mr Niyonkuru revealed that part of their delegation has extended its stay in Zimbabwe to explore more investment opportunities in the country. - Owen Mandovha, ZBC News

Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye outlined his administration's vision to achieve food security in a meeting with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu.

"Every mouth should have food and every pocket money," he pointed out in the Tuesday meeting as rooted for stronger cooperation between Burundi and FAO.

Ndayishimiye outlined his vision for cooperation with the organization for further development of the agriculture sector, including all aspects of the value chain, and underlined the need for innovation, increased investment and capacity development as key elements.

He also shared with Qu details of how he was reforming Burundi to ensure food security as well as economic development through the National Development Plan of Burundi (2018-2027), as an ambitious and transformative program that can accelerate the process of socio-economic development.

On his part, the FAO chief acknowledged Burundi's progress in the agri-food sector, horticulture, animal husbandry and aquaculture.

He pointed out to President Ndayishimiye that in order to promote agri-food systems transformation, more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable systems are vital to create new opportunities.

The president and the FAO Director-General confirmed their commitment to a continued strong partnership. - CGTN

JUBA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations relief agency has called on South Sudan to protect communities, humanitarian personnel and assets across the country after the killing of three aid workers on Thursday.

Sara Beysolow Nyanti, the humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan and Arafat Jamal, the Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim (a.i.) who condemned the incident urged the perpetrators to respect international law and humanitarian staff and assets.

"This attack is completely unacceptable. This is not the first of these incidents in this area. Criminals who choose to use violence to serve themselves ensure vulnerable people suffer more. If humanitarians and humanitarian assets are not protected, humanitarian assistance to that area will have to stop," Nyanti said in a joint statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Friday evening.

A convoy of commercial trucks carrying vital life-saving food commodities from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) was attacked between Gadiang and Yuai in Jonglei state on Thursday.

Three people on the convoy were killed, and one person was wounded.

Nyanti is currently visiting donor capitals to raise the profile of the needs of people in South Sudan and advocating for support.

"When humanitarian assistance is attacked, it is the people in need who suffer. Indeed, such incidents discourage those donor countries who would otherwise invest in South Sudan," she said.

Jamal on his part called on the government to immediately implement its commitments to ensure civilians, including humanitarians, are safe.

"I have unfailing admiration for everyone who helps and supports people in need. It is devastating to realize that people undertaking vital work can be executed so heartlessly. The crime is compounded when these attacks go unpunished. These killers must not be allowed to roam free," he said.

South Sudan, which is one of the most dangerous places for aid workers saw 319 violent incidents reported in 2021 targeting humanitarian personnel and assets, with five aid workers killed, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. - Xinhua