Tinotenda Hove- Aleck Tabe, the Mayor of Masvingo, says the city is pursuing stronger international partnerships following high-level discussions with Muhammad Amjad Aziz Qazi aimed at unlocking economic opportunities and driving urban development.

In a statement released on Friday, Mayor Tabe revealed that he met with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe for what he described as productive discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between the two sides at the local government level.

“I had the honour and privilege of meeting with the Ambassador of Pakistan to Zimbabwe H.E Muhammad Amjad Aziz Qazi today, where we held productive and forward-looking discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between our two nations at the local government level,” said Tabe.

According to the mayor, the meeting explored several areas with the potential to transform Masvingo’s economy and improve livelihoods.

“Our engagement explored a range of opportunities that have the potential to contribute to the growth and transformation of Masvingo City,” he said.

Key areas discussed included investment promotion, trade, industrial development, tourism, cultural exchange, and skills transfer. The two parties also considered possible twinning arrangements between Masvingo and cities in Pakistan to foster knowledge-sharing, innovation, and stronger people-to-people relations.
Tabe said Masvingo’s status as home to the iconic Great Zimbabwe National Monument places it in a strong position to attract international partnerships and tourism-related investments.

“As a city that proudly hosts the iconic Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Masvingo remains committed to building meaningful international partnerships that unlock economic opportunities, attract investment, and enhance our tourism offering,” he said.

He added that such partnerships could significantly contribute to sustainable urban development while improving residents’ quality of life.

“We believe such collaborations can play a significant role in advancing sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life for our residents.”

Mayor Tabe expressed optimism about the future of the engagement, saying both sides demonstrated a shared commitment to turning discussions into practical outcomes.

“We are encouraged by the positive spirit of engagement and mutual interest demonstrated during our meeting and look forward to translating these discussions into practical initiatives and tangible projects that will deliver lasting benefits to the people of Masvingo City,” he said.

Tabe also thanked the Pakistani embassy for its warm reception and commitment to strengthening relations with the city.

“I extend my sincere appreciation to the Ambassador and the Embassy of Pakistan for their warm reception, constructive engagement, and commitment to strengthening ties with our city.”