Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s private sector has pledged strong support for an export-led industrialisation strategy aimed at enhancing the country’s regional and global trade footprint.
Stakeholders met yesterday to evaluate existing trade agreements between Zimbabwe and its bilateral and multilateral partners, focusing on strategies to enhance industrial capacity and boost exports.
Industrialist Lesley Marange emphasised the strategic advantage of Zimbabwe’s current chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), highlighting its potential to unlock profitable markets and strengthen regional productivity.
“This presents a chance for the nation to tap into profitable markets and raise awareness about opportunities within the region, boosting productivity,” he said.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has taken a proactive approach, engaging stakeholders to evaluate trade agreements.
British Embassy head of trade and investment, Stuart Oxenford, emphasised that the success of these agreements hinges on businesses expanding their production capacities and reaching broader markets.
Zimbabwean industrialists are keen to capitalise on trade frameworks under SADC, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Mashonaland Chamber, Wellington Dangarembizi stressed the importance of aligning local industrial growth with regional and global trade opportunities.
“Industrialisation ensures that Zimbabwean companies are well-positioned to leverage trade agreements and focus on strategies that enable sustainable industrial growth,” said Dangarembizi.
The discussions underscored the need for industries to adapt their production strategies and scale operations to meet international market demands.
By tapping into existing regional and international agreements, Zimbabwe aims to strengthen its economic position and promote sustainable growth.
With this concerted effort from the private sector, Zimbabwe looks poised to embrace industrialisation as a cornerstone for economic progress, fostering competitiveness and expanding its global trade footprint.
