The Zimbabwean Cabinet, led by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable F.T. Mhona, reviewed the preparations for the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government. The summit is scheduled to take place in August 2024.
To ensure the event’s success, several Technical Preparatory Sub-Committees have been formed. These committees focus on areas such as transport, protocol and conferencing, accommodation, entertainment and excursions, security and accreditation, media and publicity, health and environment, information, communication and technology, industrialisation week, public lectures, and finance.
Before the summit, the 7th Annual SADC Industrialisation Week will be held from July 28 to August 2, 2024. This year’s theme is “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC.” The event, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat, the SADC Business Council, and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, will see 150 companies from various sectors participating. These sectors include agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, pharmaceuticals, finance, consumer and capital goods, women and youth enterprises, and infrastructure.
Highlights of the Industrialisation Week will include an Investment Conference and an official opening by the President, along with a Ministers’ Plenary Session.
The 44th SADC Summit will feature two side events on August 18, 2024: a tour of the Geo-Pomona Waste Management Project by Heads of State and Government, and the launch of the SADC Liberation Square at the Museum of African Liberation. Additionally, the President will deliver a public lecture at the University of Zimbabwe titled “Building Research Capacity and Innovation Ecosystems for a Sustainable Industrialised SADC Economy.”
In preparation for the summit, significant infrastructure development is taking place in Mt. Hampden. This includes constructing a 12.8-kilometer 11KV power line from Mt. Hampden to the New Parliament and other civil works such as roads and water systems.
The upcoming events and preparations are expected to foster regional cooperation, promote economic growth, and showcase Zimbabwe’s commitment to industrialisation and development within the SADC region.
Positive Eye News
