Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE highly anticipated and oversubscribed 7th annual Sadc Industrialisation Week (SIW) kicks off today in Harare.
The industrialisation week, which will run till Friday, 2 August, is a precursor to the 44th Sadc Heads of State Summit scheduled for 17 August where Zimbabwe is set to assume the chairmanship of the regional body.
Running under the theme: “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development: Towards an Industrialised Sadc”, the event will serve as a platform for local and regional companies to showcase their contributions to the industrialisation agenda.
It is being hosted by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), in collaboration with the Sadc Secretariat and Sadc Business Council, while about 150 companies from the Sadc region are expected to participate at SIW, where over 1 300 delegates are expected.
President Mnangagwa will officially open the week-long event on Wednesday. The conference provides a platform for member states to update each other on their industrialisation efforts.
It’s an opportunity for Zimbabwe to benchmark against leading economies in the region and showcase the strides we have made.
In an interview with Sunday News yesterday, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Public Relations and Communications deputy director, Mr Coline Dzavakwa, said several high-level delegates have started arriving in the country ahead of the event that promises to increase engagement opportunities on industrialisation at regional and international level.
He said the event presents an opportunity for regional and continental networking where investors exchange information on the trends in the industry.
“The week-long event starts with a Media Awareness Programme scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday). President Mnangagwa will officially open the 7th SIW on Wednesday 31 July 2024. An Investment Conference will also take place on Monday 29 July 2024 and the keynote address will be delivered by Vice-President Chiwenga,” he said.
“Delegates will also have an opportunity to visit a number factories namely: Dinson Iron and Steel Company, Champion Foods and Dairiboard Zimbabwe Limited among others.”
CZI chief executive officer (CEO) Ms Sekai Kuvarika said they were indeed excited about the SIW that kicks off today.
“We view this event as a pivotal platform for driving industrialisation in the region and showcasing Zimbabwe’s potential as a manufacturing hub. Our preparations for the SIW have been comprehensive and we are particularly proud to be hosting over 60 SMEs under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and ZimTrade banners,” she said.
“This highlights the crucial role of SMEs in our industrialisation journey. Delegates can look forward to a week packed with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and the official opening by President Mnangagwa, which is undoubtedly a major highlight.”
She said there will also be a special exhibition pavilion for the investment promotion agencies to come and showcase their promotion for manufacturing investments in the different jurisdiction from across the region.
Ms Kuvarika said this should generate leads for manufacturing investments which can then be followed up after the SIW.
She added: “The SIW provides a unique chance to explore partnerships, identify investment opportunities, and exchange knowledge on how to enhance our manufacturing capabilities. We believe this event will significantly contribute to unlocking the region’s economic potential.”
The SIW will commence with a media awareness day today followed by an investment conference to be presided over by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, tomorrow. Plenary sessions will be held on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the private sector will host a welcome cocktail, gala dinner, and fashion show on Thursday.
The events will wrap up with organised factory visits to outstanding and innovative local companies, to showcase Zimbabwe’s industrial potential.
The Industrialisation Week, has been convened annually since 2016, bringing together public and private sector representatives and researchers to discuss ways to accelerate regional integration, enhance trade within the region and the continent, and increase investment.
It aims to advance the Sadc Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, and identify projects that can be implemented jointly by the public and private sectors in the 16 Member States. Adopted in April 2015 at a Special Summit in Harare, the industrialisation strategy aims to facilitate a major economic and technological transformation at national and regional levels in the context of regional integration.
The strategy and roadmap outlines several essential elements for industrialisation. These include technological upgrading and innovation as enablers and creators of employment and competitiveness, as well as recognition of the impact of the emerging patterns of global technology and trade.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter