Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE and Africa must shift from exporting raw commodities to processed, high-value goods to achieve lasting prosperity, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira has said.
Addressing business leaders and diplomats at the ZimTrade Exporter of the Year Awards in Harare on Friday night, Prof Murwira said true trade transformation redefines how nations earn from their natural resources rather than merely increasing export volumes.
“Let’s transform trade, not change it, but transform it for our common prosperity and lasting peace. Let’s make sure that in every country we are interdependent, not dependent,” Prof Murwira said.
“When you say this year we are exporting two million tonnes and next year we are exporting five million tonnes, that is change. But transformation means that from the five million tonnes of raw mineral you were exporting, we are now exporting 200 kilogrammes of highly, highly value-added minerals.
“Where we used to use 20-foot-long containers, we are now moving with small bags of highly thought-out, processed products.”
Citing the Second Republic’s ban on raw lithium exports as a practical example of reducing logistics costs and retaining domestic value, he urged local producers to invest in quality, innovation and value addition.
“We are transforming Africa’s business model. From exporting raw materials to exporting processed and finished goods, this is transformation; it is not change. It is a real transformation,” he said.
“To our producers, keep investing in quality, innovation and value addition. Please reduce the size of the boxes of your exports by adding more thought to your products.” Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe’s “friend to all and enemy to none” foreign policy was designed to secure fair trade in finished goods, calling on major economies such as China, India, Russia and the United States to support global trading systems that reward value addition in developing countries.
“Strong people do not shout. Strong people are calm, they are focused, and they move forward,” he said.
ZimTrade board chairperson Dr Kupukile Mlambo said local exporters were already driving this transformation by creating jobs, expanding industries and strengthening domestic supply chains.
“We want more Zimbabwean businesses to reach international markets, more value to be created within our economy and more communities to share in the opportunities that trade can bring,” Dr Mlambo said.
At the awards ceremony, Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Pvt) Ltd emerged as the biggest winner, claiming the Overall Exporter of the Year, Intra-Africa Exporter of the Year and Engineering Sector awards.
Other category winners were Bishopstone Estates (Fresh Produce), Seed Co Zimbabwe (Agricultural Inputs), Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (Processed Foods), Zimplow Holdings trading as Mealie Brand (Agricultural Implements), Zambezi Tanners (Leather, Leather Products and Footwear), Sunny Yi Feng Tiles (Building and Construction), Zimbabwe Flower Exports (Floriculture), Treger Products trading as Kango Products Division (Household and Electrical) and Kuminda Enterprises (SME Exporter of the Year).
Six companies were also inducted into the ZimTrade Hall of Fame: Zimbabwe Spinners and Weavers (Textiles), Paramount Exports (Clothing), Varichem Pharmaceuticals (Pharmaceuticals), Padenga Holdings (Hides and Skins), Hunyani Paper and Packaging (Packaging) and J.W. Wilson International (Furniture).
