Launch of the eTrade Readiness Assessment, the National Productive Capacities Gap Assessment and the Holistic Productive Capacities Development Programme of Zimbabwe

[Video message]

Your Excellencies,

Minister Ndhlovu, Minister of Industry and Commerce, 

Minister Mavetera, Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services,  

Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe 

Ambassador Park, Ambassador of Korea to Zimbabwe 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

I am honored to address you at this landmark joint launch.

Let me express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Zimbabwe, particularly the ministries of industry and information, for their leadership.

I also want to thank the Government of Korea for their generous financial support, and the UN country team for their vital work in facilitating implementation and fostering synergies with development partners on the ground.

Today we witness not three separate launches but one unified vision for Zimbabwe's future.

This "three-in-one" approach – combining eTrade readiness, a productive capacities assessment and a holistic development programme – represents a profound understanding that in today's world, digital transformation and productive capacity building must advance hand-in-hand.

Zimbabwe stands at a pivotal moment.

With critical minerals, agricultural potential and human capital, the foundations for prosperity exist.

Yet significant challenges remain – with a Productive Capacities Index of just 30, ranking 170th globally, only 12% of SMEs with websites compared to 91% of large firms, and less than 5% of the population engaged in e-commerce.

What makes today remarkable is Zimbabwe's recognition that these challenges cannot be addressed in isolation.

Digital readiness without productive capacity leads to dependency. Productive capacity without digital transformation leads to obsolescence.

Zimbabwe chooses instead synergy, coordination, and integration.

What Zimbabwe demonstrates today is development pragmatism at its best – refusing false choices between building physical production and digital capabilities when success clearly demands both.

As Zimbabwe pursues Vision 2030, this three-dimensional foundation – strengthening what you produce, how you trade, and who benefits – offers the potential not just for growth but also for inclusive and sustainable prosperity.

Zimbabwe's path forward requires both vision and pragmatism. UNCTAD stands ready as your partner in the practical work of implementation, turning today's roadmaps into tomorrow's reality.

Thank you.