NDAMU SANDU IN DURBAN
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said development should leave no one behind and women and youth should be supported to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Africa is pushing the AfCFTA which is touted as key to pull the continent from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic as it pushes Intra-African trade.
Speaking at the opening of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) in Durban on Monday, Mnangagwa said development should be all-inclusive.
“As we march towards achieving the Africa we want, it is equally important to strengthen our resolve to realise development that leaves no one and no place behind on the continent,” he Mnangagwa said.
“In our quest to build bridges for a successful African Continental Free Trade Area, it is imperative that the economic requirements in our respective countries facilitate the requisite ecosystems to support youth start-ups and women owned businesses.”
He said the modernisation and development of cross border infrastructure projects to facilitate Intra-African trade is key to continental integration.
“These projects must seek to broaden the penetration and uses of ICTs as well as to upgrade and modernise ports of entry, establish one stop border posts and development of transport corridors among others, especially with landlocked countries,” Mnangagwa said.
He said Zimbabwe stands ready to play its part in advancing “our vision of an economically integrated continent” and will implement projects that complement Sadc and the continent.
IATF2021 opened on Monday and runs up to November 21.
