The Acting Deputy Director-General of Exports at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Mr Willem van der Spuy, has called for accelerated industrialisation, stronger regional value chains and seamless trade facilitation to deepen economic cooperation between South Africa and Zimbabwe and strengthen regional integration.
Van der Spuy was speaking at the South Africa–Zimbabwe Business Forum, which was held on the margins of the 4th Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) taking place in South Africa on 21 August 2026.
The Business Forum brought together government and business representatives from both countries to identify opportunities to increase trade and investment, facilitate business partnerships and strengthen cooperation in mining, agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing and industrialisation, logistics, transport and trade corridors.
Van der Spuy said the rapidly changing global economy required countries in the region to strengthen cooperation and build competitive industries.
“Our regions are navigating rapidly evolving global economies, which demand that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) remains agile, unified and forward-thinking. “Our focus must remain clear, and we must accelerate industrialisation, develop robust regional value chains and ensure that our trade facilitation instruments are seamless,” said Van der Spuy.
He added that stronger regional value chains and industrial capacity would help create economic opportunities across the region and contribute to inclusive growth.
“We are duty bound to ensure that the choices we make as a customs block carry the will of our people, their hopes and their aspirations, but also provide them a life of dignity and prosperity,” he said.
Van der Spuy also emphasised the need to position the region to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other strategic trade partnerships.
“We are looking inward but also outward to the future at how SADC positions itself as a competitive industrial engine capable of maximising vast opportunities represented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and other strategic trade partnerships,” he said.
In addition, Van der Spuy said that engagements that bring government, business and trade officials together were important for building trust and translating regional integration into practical economic partnerships.
“The true spirit of integration happens in rooms like these, where we can speak candidly, share ideas informally, and reinforce the trust that forms the bedrock of our partnership,” said Van der Spuy.
The Business Forum provided a platform for South African and Zimbabwean stakeholders to strengthen economic relations and explore opportunities that can contribute to increased trade, investment and industrial development in both countries and the wider region.
The Acting Deputy Director-General of Exports at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Willem van der Spuy, addressing delegates during the South Africa–Zimbabwe Business Forum at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
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