By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwean businesses are poised to benefit from increased access to regional markets, investors, policymakers and financiers as the country prepares to host the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Multi-Sectoral International Exhibition later this month.
The three-day business forum, scheduled for 19 to 21 October, will form part of activities leading up to the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit on 22 October.
Delegates from across COMESA are expected to attend the events, which will be held under the theme: ‘One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.’
Zimbabwe continues to seek opportunities to diversify its exports and move beyond dependence on the shipment of primary commodities, while the forum is expected to create opportunities for local companies to build partnerships and access new markets within the regional bloc.
According to the latest ZimTrade newsletter, Zimbabwean exporters will have an opportunity to showcase their products, identify potential markets and establish relationships with prospective business partners.
“The business forum will place strong emphasis on strengthening regional value chains, expanding productive capacity and encouraging businesses to increase value addition as part of efforts to deepen trade within the bloc. It will also provide exporting businesses with a platform to pursue new markets, engage potential partners and take part in discussions affecting regional trade and investment.
“To ensure this is a results-driven, structured business-to-business and business-to-government event, business engagements will form part of the programme, giving participating companies a unique opportunity to contribute to regional policy direction,” the newsletter notes.
The priority sectors for the forum include manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, energy, hospitality, the digital economy, tourism, financial services, mining, textiles and leather products.
The accompanying exhibition is also expected to allow Zimbabwean companies to market their goods and services directly to prospective buyers, distributors, investors and business partners from other COMESA member states.
“The three-day programme will provide Zimbabwean companies an opportunity to meet regional financiers, development institutions and Government representatives in one place, reducing the need to approach individual markets separately,” it stated.
With COMESA comprising a market of more than 640 million people, a combined gross domestic product of approximately US$1 trillion and annual merchandise trade exceeding US$383 billion, the regional bloc presents a significant potential market for Zimbabwean businesses seeking to expand their exports and establish a stronger regional presence.
New Ziana
