Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
THE private sector has pledged to support an export-led industrialisation drive to enable local companies to increase regional and global exports.
The sector held discussions on Wednesday to unpack and assess the current trade agreements for Zimbabwe’s bilateral and multilateral partners.
With Zimbabwe chairing the SADC region, the focus is on increasing exports and expanding the local industrial capacity.
“Zimbabwe is chairing the SADC region and this presents an opportunity for the nation to further tap into profitable markets and raise awareness on possible opportunities within the region, including how the entire economy can tap into increased productivity based,” industrialist Mr Lesley Marange said.
The unpacking of the trade agreements is also aimed at helping the industry access viable and strategic markets.
“CZI is therefore engaging its stakeholders and unpacking the current trade agreements, participants are of the view that the sustainability of such arrangements will depend on the commitment by firms to broaden markets and expand their production based,” British Embassyhead of trade and investment Mr Stuart Oxenford stated.
Industrialists are also keen to take advantage of the existing regional and international trade agreements.
“Industrialisation ensures that Zimbabwean companies are geared to take advantage of the trade agreements riding on what is taking place and focusing on the future strategy that shapes industrial growth and enables local companies to grow at a time when the need to tap into regional and global markets is of paramount importance,” president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Mashonaland Chamber, Mr Wellington Dangarembizi noted.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to various trade agreements within SADC, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
