Harare — ZIMBABWE and Brazil are seeking to remove double taxation for business transactions between the two countries and explore more areas of co-operation that include rehabilitation of water, road infrastructure and electricity generation.

A statement -- issued at the close of the inaugural meeting of the Zimbabwe, Brazil joint commission meeting held in Zimbabwe recently -- said it was important that the countries seek ways of improving the welfare of their people, trading and provide research frameworks into the sustainable utilisation of the resources.

The statement said parties had also agreed to co-operate in the area of biofuels, ethanol production, and commercial verification of coal bed methane, exploration of hydrocarbons and generate of electricity using bagasse.

The parties are soon expected to start negotiate and come up with Memoranda of Understanding in the areas of proposed co-operation.

"Noting the importance of the agricultural sector, the parties agreed to co-operate in research and development, capacity building as well as to explore joint venture projects in the production vaccines, manufacture of stock feeds, production of coffee and milling projects.

The parties further agreed to conclude drafting MoUs in Tourism by March 2010 that would see Zimbabwe establishing an office in Brazil and co-operation in civil aviation," read the statement.

The parties are also expected to negotiate bilateral co-operation agreements in the fields of health, higher education and training, youth and diplomatic consultations.

The agreements are expected to provide an enabling environment for cooperation in training and technical environment capacity building in media, gender mainstreaming and police services.

In an interview at the close of the inaugural meeting of the commission recently, Ambassador Piragibe dos Santos Tarrago said Brazil had a lot to learn from Zimbabwe particularly in the mining sector and it would bring expertise in the bio fuels and industry.

He said: "The joint commission presents an opportunity for the two countries to improve the welfare of their people. Brazil has a lot to learn from Zimbabwe particularly in the mining and tourism sectors where despite the challenges the country has done well."

Mr Tarrago said he hoped Zimbabwe would also benefit from the developments in biofuels where Brazil has made tremendous strides.

He said it was critical that both countries shared a common vision on the use of biofuels.