The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) in Port Elizabeth is expanding expertise into Africa and on Tuesday hosted a delegation from neighbouring Zimbabwe.
“As Africans we are educated enough to resolve our own challenges”, Hon. Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, Provincial Minister of Manicaland, emphasised during discussions with the CDC on the establishment and operation of an SEZ in Manicaland, Zimbabwe.
Determined to achieve the objective of having African solutions to African problems, the delegation graced the CDC head office in Port Elizabeth on a two day visit for purposes of knowledge sharing on how to grow and strengthen the African economy through industrialization.
Key to the study visit was exploring measures on how to establish a leading Special Economic Zone in Manicaland, Hon. Dr EllenGwaradzimba highlighted the importance of land in the context of penetrating the global village, and further expressed that “we have brilliant ideas however the challenge we face is the implementation of those ideas, we would like the Coega SEZ to assist us in championing this goal as one of the leading SEZs in Africa”.
In the past year, Zimbabwe has promulgated six SEZs throughout the country.
Coega Development Corporation committed to regional integration
The objective of the two-day visit is complimentary to Coega Development Corporation’s commitment of achieving regional integration to benefit the African continent. As such, the CDC has extended its interest as an infrastructure implementing agent.
“Our involvement in the rest of the African continent forms part of the South African President – Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to promote the development and economic integration of the African Continent,” says Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC unit head marketing, brand & communication.
“Also, it is in line with continental objectives and strategies set out by the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD),” adds Dr Vilakazi.
Enthusiastic about the engagements between the organisation and Manicaland, Dr Siyabonga Simayi, CDC Programme Director mentioned that the discussions were a step toward realizing goals set to improve and sustain Africa’s development.
“We look forward to working with the delegation from Zimbabwe, and further expanding our expertise to the greater African continent.”
Image: GLOBAL NETWORK: CDC CEO Pepi Silinga (front) hosting the Hon Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, Provincial Minister of Manicaland (front right) leading a delegation from Zimbabwe including Bulawayo SEZ, Beitbridge SEZ & Baobab organisation. In the image, the delegation is joined by the CDC personnel.