adminmanufacturing sector.
The dialogue,which will be held from July 24 to August 2 in Rwanda, will run under the theme “Linking businesses to markets: Unlocking the potential of the manufacturing sector in the Comesa region”.
Comesa Business Council secretary-general Mr Trust Chikohora said Zimbabwean businesses had a lot to gain from the dialogue.
“Rwanda is a country that has experienced phenomenal economic growth in the recent past and there are a lot of lessons to be learnt from that country’s economy. Zimbabwean business also has an opportunity to participate in the dialogue which will help shape the business position on manufacturing in the region,” he said.
Manufacturing is one of the four main pillars of this economy together with mining, agriculture and tourism. It has close links with agriculture as it consumes and processes over 60 percent of its produce.
Local industry, which is operating at 40 percent, is battling a lot of economic challenges including shortage of electricity, the high cost of utility charges, transport as well as elusive and expensive short-term funding.
Mr Chikohora said the event would provide a platform for corporate buyers in the sector to establish partnerships with SMEs with the aim of expanding production and trade across the region.
“It will also be a great opportunity for companies to showcase their products, access new markets, benchmark with peers and network widely,” he added.
The event aims to increase intra-trade within the Comesa region and facilitate the formation of an advocacy platform for manufacturing sector by the CBC.
The fair is expected to focus on creating a buyer-seller platform where corporate industries in the region meet diverse SMEs to strike deals that will promote their products in other African markets.
“There will also be manufacturers and business people from across the 19 countries in the Comesa region which gives a rare opportunity to get a snapshot of Comesa business in one place,” he said.
Online Reporter