NEWS PROVIDED BY

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Apr 03, 2022, 10:31 PDT

LUSAKA, Zambia, 31 March 2022 / PRN Africa / -- The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat supported by the Zambian Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, organized a sensitization workshop in Lusaka and Livingstone on the feasibility of establishing a common agro-industrial park between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This follows a similar workshop organized for Zimbabwean stakeholders in Harare and Bulawayo in October 2021.

The sensitization workshop provided an opportunity to present the findings and recommendations of the pre-feasibility study and served as a platform for dialogue amongst Zambian stakeholders including Government, the private sector, women in business and academia on regional industrialization initiatives and the pursuit of regional value chains as anchors for structural transformation. Participants in Livingstone were led by a representative of the Southern Province Permanent Secretary and included participants from the local business community. The common agro-industrial park (CAIP) is being implemented under the Joint Industrialisation Cooperation framework between Zambia and Zimbabwe, anchored on Article 99 of the COMESA Treaty which encourages Member States to cooperate in industrial development to achieve the broad objectives of self-sustained and balanced growth and transformation.

The Workshop was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Mrs. Chawe Chuulu, in a speech delivered on her behalf by the Director for Foreign Trade in the Ministry, Mrs. Bessie Chelemu. Chelemu noted that both Zambia and Zimbabwe are committed to regional industrialization and trade development and that the cooperation programme signifies the importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries. She underscored that the region would only develop if all member States pursued industrialization strategically. Thus, “the joint-cooperation program presents an opportunity for the two countries to be integrated in regional and global value chains based on collective comparative and competitive advantages”.

In her remarks, Ms. Providence Mavubi, Director for Industry and Agriculture from the COMESA Secretariat, advised that diversifying the industrial sector is a priority in the COMESA 2021 to 2026 Medium Term Strategic Plan. The Director provided the evolution of the Cooperation Programme between Zambia and Zimbabwe highlighting that the collaboration was in alignment with Article 99 of the COMESA Treaty. She reminded the Workshop about the broad objectives of the gathering emphasizing the importance of stakeholder buy-in in the CAIP.

The SRO-SA Director, Ms. Eunice Kamwendo congratulated the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe on their decision to further strengthen economic integration by initiating the common agro-industrial park noting that the park will leverage comparative advantages of both member states and will position Zambia and Zimbabwe strongly for inclusive industrialization and intra-African trade under the AfCFTA. She emphasized that the initiative strengthened the already existing long-history of collaboration between the two countries in a sector that is central to food security, employment generation and the reduction of inequality and poverty. She alluded to the fact that Southern African economies are heavily dependent on commodities and with it comes vulnerabilities. “In Zambia, copper accounts for 80 percent of exports, whilst in Zimbabwe minerals account for 30 percent of foreign currency earnings. The Director noted that agriculture remains the largest employer and significant contributor to national and regional GDP making the sector central to socio-economic development”.

During the Workshop, presentations were made on the Joint Industrialization Cooperation Programme between Zambia and Zimbabwe; the Prefeasibility Study on the CAIP; and on the Regional Value Chains Guidelines for Africa followed by plenary discussions. These interventions were complemented by interventions by the Zambia Association of Manufacturers, the Women in Business Association of Zambia, the African Development Bank and United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The plenary discussions highlighted the importance of engaging the private sector, media and other stakeholders on this initiative including the selection of the site to incentivize demand and create opportunities for MSMEs, women and youth business organizations.

The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented a private sector perspective on the effectiveness of special economic zones, focusing on aspects that support their successful growth. In their intervention, they underlined the importance of continuous consultations and the full involvement of the private sector and key partners going forward. The closing session included statements by representatives of COMESA and SRO-SA who both emphasized the imperative of delivering initiatives such as the CAIP to accelerate industrialization, protect food security, deliver sustainable jobs and support the export potential of the region. Both agencies echoed their commitment to continue working in partnership to deliver successful implementation of the CAIP.

SOURCE United Nations Economic Commission for Africa