Honourable Nqobizitha M. Ndhlovu, Minister of Industry and Commerce for the Republic of Zimbabwe on 1 August 2024 officially closed the 7th annual SADC Industrialisation Week (SIW) at Harare International Convention Centre. The 7th SIW started on 28 July and came to an end on 2 August 2024.
In his closing remarks, Honourable Minister underscored the need for SADC Member States to recognise that a private sector led industrialisation drive which aims to create employment and raise the standards of living of SADC citizens remains top priority.
He urged Member States to take cognisant of the fact that to achieve sustained economic growth and development, the region needs to increase intra-trade among themselves and urged them to conclude the ratification processes for the SADC Protocol on Industry.
Honourable Ndlovu implored all the stakeholders to continue having a unity of purpose towards ensuring that the SADC region reaches its full potential in the industrialisation agenda as outlined in the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063).
He thanked the speakers and panellists for delivering well-articulated topics which enabled SADC to take stock of the progress on the industrialisation agenda. Honourable Ndlovu noted that their invaluable contributions will certainly enable Member States to strive towards ensuring that the region continues to move up the value chain through adopting policies and strategies that promote value addition and beneficiation of its abundant natural resources.
For her part, Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration extended appreciation to the Private Sector, particularly the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and International Cooperating Partners such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) that contributed significantly to the success of 7th SIW. She noted that the collaboration between the public and private sectors, along with UNIDO and UNECA partners, has demonstrated the power of unity to deliver a successful SIW and unlock potential to improve the lives of the people.
The Deputy Executive Secretary assured the delegates and key stakeholders that Secretariat will ensure that the “Harare Declaration” from the SIW will be presented to the next SADC Council of Ministers and the 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government for their consideration.
The SADC Industrialisation Week commenced on 28 July 2024 with a Media Awareness Day to raise awareness about industrialisation efforts and the importance of media in promoting and understanding the SADC Industrialisation agenda. It was followed by a successful Investment Conference which was attended by more than 900 delegates and officially opened by the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honourable General (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N Chiwenga.
The climax of the event saw the official opening of the SADC Industrialisation Week by His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The event had a resounding attendance of more than 2300 delegates from the SADC region and beyond.
A record number of 267 exhibitors attended the 7th SADC Industrialisation Week and showcased a wide range of products which were produced across SADC countries.
The 7th SADC Industrialisation Week provided a platform for SADC Member States, the Private Sector, International Partners, Policymakers, Researchers, SMEs, Financial Institutions, and Civil Society to share experiences on driving industrialisation and economic transformation agenda for the region.
