Harare – Zimbabwe and Ma l a wi  o n  We d n e s d a y pledged to continue work-ng together to smoothen rade through addressing barriers to trade. In a joint communiqué ssued at the end of the ighth Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), the two countries agreed to finalise work on new agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation. “The parties expressed atisfaction with the level f trade between the two countries. “However, to enhance rade exchanges, they ex-mined factors that may onst i t ut e barri ers t o rade such as restrictions mposed on some prod-cts, delays in clearance f goods, the issuance of permits and bottlenecks to movement of cargo,” read part of the communiqué. Pending MoUs cover are-s including mining, energy, ourism, wildlife management, forestry, aqua-culture and water development. Proposed agreements, xpected to be signed by he f i rst quarter of  next ear will deal with areas uch as education sports, rts and culture, labour and mployment, gender and women’s affairs, informa-on, news agencies and roadcasting as well as social welfare. The parties agreed to orm a joint implementing mechanism, which would ensure that all agreements are put into force. Malawi Foreign Affairs Mi n i s t e r  P r o f e s s o r  Et a
f ICBC and Standard Bank,
Banda described the JPC as having been highly successful. She however expressed concern that the two countries had failed to fully implement agreements made six years ago. “The some total of inaction is that we will have failed our people when we are expected to service them with diligence,” she said. She said action would contribute towards poverty reduction in the respective countries. Zi mbabwe’ s Forei gn Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi also noted that implementation was the real challenge that remained for the two governments to address. He sai d Zi mbabwe woul d t ake a cue f rom Malawi’s success in the agriculture sector especially through supporting smallholder farmers. Dealing with non-tariff barriers was critical for enhancing trade, he said. The next JPC would be held in Malawi in 2011. Meanwhile, Professor Banda paid a courtesy call on Vice President Joice Mujuru. After the meeting the Minister said the Vice President acknowledged the cordial relations that existed between the two countries. “Our people are but one except for the boundaries that divided us,” the minister said.