adminFarirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Captains of industry and commerce have expressed their readiness to participate in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) set to be operationalised in July next year.
The AfCFTA was launched at an AU Extraordinary Assembly in Niamey, Niger, in July this year.
The business leaders expressed their readiness yesterday while addressing a press conference on the sidelines of a two-day validation workshop for the national strategy on the AfCFTA.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Mr Tamuka Macheka said the agreement was a game changer for the country.
“From the private sector I think the AfCFTA is very critical for us. It is a game changer and as a private sector we are alive to the benefits we can derive from this huge market and come July 2020 as the private sector we would be ready,” he said.
He added that there was need to address various issues including equipping industry with the latest machinery to improve competitiveness.
He also said Zimbabwe could benefit from exporting its skilled labour.
Mr Sifelani Jabangwe, who is the immediate past president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, said the country should utilise its advantage in areas like food processing.
“Food processing is one area Zimbabwe is doing very well. So we believe that there are immense opportunities that we need to exploit on the African continent.”
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Pavelyn Musaka said the private sector should take the lead in the formulation of the national strategy.
“As Government, our goal is to make Vision 2030 a reality. We, therefore, are looking forward to a relevant national strategy that should be implementable, effectively addressing the multitudes of needs, concerns and challenges currently confronting the business community.
“I implore the private sector to take ownership of the strategy. You are the people who are going to drive these competitiveness issues, while our role as Government is to create an enabling environment. The public and private sectors should work together to strengthen our relations for the common good of our people as we thrive to develop our economy,” Mrs Musaka said.
AU Representative Beatrice Chaytor said Zimbabwe stood to benefit from the single market. “This is 55 countries with a combined GDP of trillions of dollars, so it’s a very significant market so it’s a market that Zimbabwe can tap into,” she said.
Mr Batanai Chikwene, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa programme management officer (African Trade Policy Centre, Regional Integration and Trade Division) said Government had to address the country’s competitiveness so that it could withstand competition from foreign products.
“Let’s capacitate the private sector so that they can take the game to other players as they meet products in foreign markets,” Mr Chikwene said.
Online Reporter