Zim to sign air service pacts with Oman, Sri Lanka

THE Zimbabwe has approved the signing of bilateral air service agreements with Oman and Sri-Lanka as authorities forge on with efforts to make the country open and accessible to the wider world.

The agreements will allow airlines from the respective countries to service Harare, Colombo and Muscat respectively.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said the decision was in line with the “open for business” initiative that President Mnangagwa’s administration is pursuing.

“The agreements provide a governing framework for the operation of air transport services, thereby boosting travel and trade between Zimbabwe and the two countries,” she said.

“This is part of Government’s efforts to engage and re-engage with the international community thereby fulfilling the mantra that “Zimbabwe is open for business.”

Signing of the two bilateral air service agreements was approved by Cabinet at its Tuesday sitting.

Officially the Sultanate of Oman, Oman is an Arab country on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia with a population of nearly five million people.

Its gross domestic product was estimated at over $72,6 billion at the end of 2017.

Its airline, Oman Air currently flies to over 50 destinations across the world.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean that is famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, with a population of over 21 million.

The country’s national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines has a fleet of 27 planes and currently flies to 114 destinations. - New Ziana.