Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S assumption of the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) presents a strategic opportunity for the country to strengthen its position as a regional manufacturing and value-added export hub, National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) chairperson Mrs Patiance Chimuka has said.
With Zimbabwe preparing to host the COMESA Summit in Harare in October, Mrs Chimuka said the country should use its leadership of the 21-member trading bloc to deepen industrial competitiveness, expand value addition and unlock wider regional markets for locally produced goods.
She said this at the ongoing NCC National Competitiveness Summit in Bulawayo, where the focus is on strengthening Zimbabwe’s productive capacity and competitiveness.
“As you would know, our President was recently appointed as Chairperson of COMESA, a 21-member trading bloc.
“I believe this presents a prime opportunity for Zimbabwe to cement itself as a powerhouse for value-added exports in the region, as we continue to build on our milestones while focusing on the critical cornerstones of competitiveness,” said Mrs Chimuka.
The COMESA chairmanship comes at a time when Zimbabwe is pursuing industrialisation and export-led growth, with the regional market providing an expanded platform for locally manufactured products.
Mrs Chimuka said Zimbabwe should use the COMESA leadership period to reassess the way it competes in regional and international markets.
“As the National Competitiveness Commission, we therefore recognise this moment as an opportunity to reflect on what we must do differently to position Zimbabwe as a more competitive economy,” she said.
The call comes as Zimbabwe seeks to move beyond exporting largely unprocessed commodities by increasing domestic value addition and strengthening linkages between agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services.
A more competitive domestic production base would allow businesses to take advantage of COMESA’s regional market while creating opportunities for small businesses and farmers to participate in supply chains.
Mrs Chimuka said competitiveness should not be viewed solely as a Government policy responsibility, but as a national undertaking involving businesses, producers, workers and communities.
“Let us embrace competitiveness not merely as a policy objective, but as a national imperative — one that requires all of us to contribute towards building a productive, innovative and competitive Zimbabwe, with the benefits reaching the ordinary trader and smallholder farmer in our communities.”
Zimbabwe is set to host the COMESA Summit in Harare in October, bringing together leaders and senior officials from the regional trading bloc.
The summit will provide a platform for member States to deliberate on regional integration, trade, investment and economic cooperation, while Zimbabwe’s chairmanship will place the country at the centre of discussions on strengthening intra-COMESA commerce.
The regional market can provide a larger customer base for locally manufactured goods, while increased regional integration can create opportunities for businesses to participate in cross-border value chains.
Zimbabwe’s COMESA chairmanship also comes with an opportunity to connect regional economic diplomacy with domestic industrial transformation — turning market access into greater production, value addition, exports and participation by smaller businesses.
