Debra Matabvu in OSAKA, Japan ZIMBABWE and Japan have signed three key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering the tourism, mining and industry and commerce sectors in a move expected to deepen economic cooperation and unlock new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. President Mnangagwa, who is leading a high-level delegation to the 2025 World Expo underway here, witnessed the signing of the agreements during the Zimbabwe Business Forum yesterday on the sidelines of the expo. Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi signed an MoU with the Japan Tourism Agency aimed at reviving and increasing Japanese tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe. Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando inked an agreement with the Japanese Organisation for Metals and Energy Security, while Industry and Commerce Secretary Dr Thomas Utete Wushe signed two MoUs with Japanese firms Toyota Connected Company and Pegara. Minister Rwodzi expressed optimism that the new partnership would help reposition Zimbabwe as a key destination for Japanese travellers. “At its peak, we had 34 000 Japanese tourists coming to Zimbabwe, however, soon after the Covid-19 pandemic, only 145 Japanese were coming to Zimbabwe for various reasons and not for tourism alone,” she said. “By partnering with Japan, we want to ensure that the Zimbabwe story is told to Japanese people through an official communication channel, which is their embassy. “Last year, we saw that number rise to 10 000, and we believe this MoU, along with our presence at the Expo, will inspire greater confidence in Zimbabwe as a travel destination. “The agreement will also create a platform for Japanese investors to explore opportunities in our tourism sector.” Dr Wushe hailed the agreements as a milestone in strengthening bilateral economic ties. “We came here with a purpose and it was to take the relationship between these two countries to the next level,” said Dr Wushe. “We have signed the MoU and it is a commitment to start improving the lives of the people of Zimbabwe.” He said the collaboration, particularly in the automotive sector, would enable Zimbabwean industry to benefit from Japanese technological expertise and innovation. “As the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, we are sitting on the shoulders of giants and we are ready to take industrialisation to the next level. “The Government has taken a deliberate step to partner with private sector players from other countries in order to promote industrialisation, trade and investment.” Toyota Connected Company representative Mr Masashi Nomoto said the Japanese firms were eager to turn the MoUs into concrete results. “We want to conclude this as soon as possible so that we provide cutting-edge solutions to the Zimbabwe people and we are very excited,” he said. Harare and Tokyo enjoy long-standing diplomatic and economic relations spanning several sectors, including infrastructure, education and agriculture. As of last year, imports from Japan reached approximately US$60 million — the highest in the past 25 years — mainly comprising vehicles and machinery. Zimbabwe’s exports to Japan stood at around US$20 million, consisting largely of tobacco, cotton, platinum, ferrochrome and manganese.