Zimbabwe’s economic recovery has just begun and will be key in the development of the Southern African region, South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela has said.

(TRAVPR.COM) UK - October 22nd, 2011 - Zimbabwe’s economic recovery has just begun and will be key in the development of the Southern African region, South Africa’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Vusi Mavimbela has said.

Mavimbela was speaking at the launch an Airbus 330–200 service to Harare by South African Airways(SAA) yesterday.

The launch comes weeks after airline giant Emirates added Harare and Lusaka in Zambia as its newest destinations as part of its network expansion on the continent beginning in February next year. Emirates will also be flying the same Airbus 330-200 aircraft.

Mavimbela said Zimbabwe and South Africa were joined by “a thousand umbilical cords” and the Airbus was going to further ensure the relations were strengthened.

“The indication that the volumes of passengers are increasing also indicates that the trade relations are strengthening and the launch of the Airbus can help facilitate trade links between the two countries,” said Mavimbela.

In a speech read on his behalf by the director of the transport management division in his ministry, Allowance Sango, the Minister Transport and Infrastructural Development Nicholas Goche said SAA had contributed positively to the development of the economy.

###