STAFF WRITER
The Zambia-Zimbabwe technical working group (TWG) on the proposed industrial joint ventures project has come up with an action matrix to guide the implementation of the programme and provide a timeframe for achieving the set targets.
Last month, the government of Zimbabwe and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate a deeper industrialisation collaboration between the two countries. This is also meant to increase competitiveness of goods produced within the two countries.
The TWG has also agreed to immediately establish committees of technocrats from the ministries of industry, commerce, trade and agriculture to work jointly to advance the different pillars agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mavis Sibanda said the timing of the programme was most appropriate as it coincides with the commencement of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The AfCTA promises a greater opportunity for both countries (Zimbabwe and Zambia) to widen access to global supply chains and export higher value goods and services.
“Increasing African intra-trade through Regional Value Chains provides African manufacturing firms economies of scale and linkages to value chains connected to the global market,” Sibanda said.
She said the implementation of the Joint Industrialization Programme is in line with the Zimbabwe National Development Strategy and the Vision 2030.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) assistant secretary general for programmes, Kipyego Cheluget, said: “In COMESA, we take this programme seriously as it will set the pace towards achieving the aspirations of the region as we regard it as a flagship project.”
Article 99 of the COMESA Treaty calls for COMESA Member States to cooperate in the field of industrial development and to coordinate their policies in establishing agro-industries to achieve regional sustainable and inclusive economic transformation.
The Programme is also a tool for the implementation of the COMESA Industrial Strategy.
The government of Zambia has since placed industrial development at the core of its development agenda in its 10- year National Industrial Policy.
According to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in Zambia, Mushuma Mulenga, the additional policy and strategic measures will create an enabling environment to enhance inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
Both Sibanda and Mulenga appreciated the support the joint programme received from COMESA and cooperating partners such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
UNECA commissioned a study on “Assessing the Feasibility of Establishing and Managing a Common Agro-Industrial Park between Zambia and Zimbabwe” which was validated in May 2021.
UNECA has further committed to support the development of the project’s policy, legal and regulatory framework.
Other cooperating partners involved include the African Development Bank, Trade and Development Bank, UNIDO, and the Afreximbank.
