WINDHOEK, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The 3rd Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Industrialization Week opened Monday in Namibia's capital Windhoek to provide a platform for the region to increase integration.

According to Namibia's Minister for Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, Tjekero Tweya, the event creates a platform for SMEs to exhibit products and services.

"As we are all aware, a platform such as this, enables organized companies operating in various industries to display their latest products and services as well as learning the activities of others businesses, examine market trends and identify business opportunities," Tweya said.

Thembinkosi Mhlongo, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration (DES-RI) at the SADC Secretariat, said the development and transformation of manufacturing in SADC forms one priority intervention area in the Revised Indicative Strategy Development Plan 2015-2020 (RISDP) as well as the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap.

He explained that the council had underscored the need for comprehensive programs targeting the development of integrated industries and improving their competitiveness.

Mhlongo said the pursuit of wider integration within and outside Africa will not be realized without concerted efforts to enhance the competitiveness of priority value chains, where SADC has comparative advantages, and to systematically promote structural transformation of the economies.

"This 3rd SADC Industrialisation Week and Exhibition therefore creates a relevant regional platform for building partnerships for growth of cross-border businesses and also facilitating advocacy on the need to improve business environment for a competitive manufacturing sector."