By Margaret Kamba 

ZANU PF Politburo member Cde Mike Bimha says the private sector must now run with the industrialization agenda following the laying of the SADC Framework and Strategy.

Speaking during an interview at the Party headquarters this Thursday, Cde Bimha said, "The foundation has been laid down with the onus now on the private sector to drive industrialisation.

 "The private sector must take the lead in implementing industrialization since the Framework and Strategy are now in place. Prior 2014, there was an effort to try and find a common purpose for SADC in terms of opening up trade and removing tariffs. We did not want to allow ourselves to be a dumping ground but encourage production of local products. Meetings ended in deadlocks," he said.

"In 2014 in Victoria Falls, it was decided by all Heads of State to focus on industrialization and have this issue be a permanent agenda. Zimbabwe chaired the meeting to come up with a Framework and Strategy with Government, Private Sector and Academia from all the SADC countries represented."

Cde Bimha added that the ruling Party under the guidance of His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has also ensured that its resolutions have industrialization taking centre stage.