President Mnangagwa chats with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri at the official opening of the Exporters Conference in Bulawayo yesterday. — Picture Eliah Saushoma

Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe’s chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) presents a prime opportunity for local businesses to influence the regional economic agenda, and realise positive trade and investment spin-offs from the wider African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), President Mnangagwa has said. Delivering the keynote address at the ZimTrade Annual Exporters Conference at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) in Bulawayo yesterday, the President said being at the helm of the regional bloc was a critical moment for the country to lead the way and harness the immense trade opportunities. President Mnangagwa assumed the chairmanship of the 16-member bloc in August this year when the country successfully hosted the 44th SADC Heads of States and Government Summit in Harare. The summit was held under the theme: “Promoting innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an Industrialised Sadc,’’ which recognised innovation as a fundamental instrument with potential to drive priority sectors of manufacturing, mineral beneficiation and agro-processing to enhance industrialisation and economic growth of the region. ReadMore