Presidents Hichilema, Samia commended for strong bilateral…

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe and his counterpart, Mahmoud Kombo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, have praised Hakainde Hichilema and Samia Suluhu Hassan for fostering strong and cordial bilateral relations between their two countries. The two Ministers emphasised on the need to further strengthen and deepen cooperation for mutual benefit of the two countries. In a communique made available to the media this afternoon, the two Ministers have recognised the deep historical and brotherly relations and strong friendship that have long existed between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Zambia.

They said the exemplary leadership of the two Heads of States and guidance in advancing bilateral, regional cooperation and Multilateral Cooperation cannot be emphasised. The Honourable Ministers who held a bilateral meeting in Tunduma, Tanzania, underscored the importance of adhering to regional and international trade frameworks in conducting bilateral cooperation that are anchored on harmonisation of standards and the principle of reciprocity. The Ministers also commended the Ministries responsible for Trade in both countries for convening several successful Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meetings since 2023 which have made steady progress in resolving issues that continue to hamper trade and economic ties between the two countries.

“Through this mechanism, the two sides have endeavored to resolve trade barriers such as 14 out of 24 reported trade barriers which have been resolved, including the consolidation of council levies, and clarification of employment regulations,” they said. They added that the two Countries Zambia and Tanzania agreed to establish a functional Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Monitoring System by end of August, 2026. The Ministers commended both sides for organising the second Joint Steering (JSC) Committee on Simplified Trade Regime (STR) held in December 2025, which consolidate the list of STR products from 22 to 48 products to enhance small-scale cross border traders between the two countries.

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They reaffirmed their commitment to fully operationalise the Tunduma/Nakonde OSBP in accordance with the 2017 Operational Manual through the co-location of customs, immigration, and health officials of both countries in a single facility. The Ministers further directed experts from Tanzania and Zambia to set up a bilateral mechanism that will monitor, in real time, implementation of trade agreements under the World Trade Organisation, AfCFTA and SADC and report progress to the Ministers on a monthly basis.

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