Partnerships to open up Zimbabwean trade

Bridge Shipping Zimbabwe, Standard Bank and Cargo-partner have joined forces to create a banking and international logistics partnership to assist importers and exporters rebuild their businesses. Standard Bank Private Equity acquired a 30% stake in the Bridge Shipping Group in 2008 as part of a management buy-out. Standard Bank is present in 17 African countries, with a global presence in 21. A strategic partnership with China’s largest bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, has opened up further opportunities, says Michelle Hayes of Bridge Shipping. Cargo-partner is an international full-service forwarding company, with its head office in Vienna Austria. It has over 100 offices around the world. Bridge Shipping Zimbabwe, based in Harare, offers the full range of road, sea and air freight services, providing clearing and forwarding and specialising in tobacco, cotton, coffee and sugar exports. “The Zimbabwe operation plays an integral role in the Bridge Group’s total service offering, providing clearing at various border crossings throughout Africa, warehousing facilities, inland truck and rail transportation, clearing and international forwarding, procurement into Africa as well as chartering and sourcing of bulk vessels at all Southern African ports,” said Hayes.