Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
Preparations for the 8th Sadc Industrialisation Week (SIW) have commenced ahead of its hosting in Madagascar this August.
In a brief statement, the Sadc Secretariat announced the commencement of the preparations.
“Preparation for the 8th edition of the Sadc Industrialisation Week (SIW) is underway,” said Sadc.
Zimbabwe currently holds the Chairmanship of the regional bloc and will pass it to Madagascar in August.
In a statement, Madagascar’s Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade said both the current Sadc leadership and the incoming leadership were committed to the SIW’s successful hosting.
“The Organising Committee, which includes the Ministry of Industry and Trade Development (MIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), the Office of Economic Development in Madagascar (EDBM), and the Union of Trade (MIC), has set out all the arrangements for Madagascar’s participation in the ‘Week of Industrialisation of Sadc’ event in August 2025 Industries in Madagascar (SIM) and representatives from Sadc.
“The two parties, the Malagasy side and the Sadc side, expressed their full willingness to support each other to make this moment special in Madagascar.
“The Ministry of Industry Development and Trade (MIC), as the Caretaker Minister, is the Chairman of the Committee organising the Week of Industry Development for Sadc to be implemented in Madagascar,” said the ministry.
The aim of the SIW is to facilitate free trade among businesses in the Sadc region and establish communication and networks for professionals, suppliers, investors and the financial system.
In addition, it also aims to uplift local and regional industries by stimulating technological exchange and attracting investors.
Last August, Zimbabwe hosted the successful 7th edition of the SIW under the theme “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised Sadc.”
President Mnangagwa officially opened the SIW, which was attended by over 3 500 delegates from the public sector, business leaders, development finance institutions, national and regional business associations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), academia, researchers and development organisations.
“This year’s Industrialisation Week amplifies the urgent need for Member States to embrace innovation as a way to boost industrial productivity and competitiveness,” the President remarked at the 7th edition of the SIW.
“Individually and collectively, we have a duty to spur sustainable growth through a sound and diversified industrial base with wide-ranging new products and jobs for our people.
“Modernisation and industrialisation of our economies is no longer a luxury but a matter of necessity for the future we all want and deserve.”
