The official ceremony for the launch of the 7th edition of the Exhibition for the Development of Cities, Corridors and Special Economic Zones “Expo Béton” was held at the beginning of October 2023 in Kolwezi, capital of the Lualaba province. . Under the theme “Kolwezi-Lualaba, Eldorado of the Southern Corridor of the DRC-SADC”, this event brings together stakeholders from the construction and urban development sector to reflect on the issue of the development corridor.
The Development Corridor concept, also known as the Special Development Initiatives Program (PIDS), was created in 1996 by the South African Departments of Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry. It aims to promote the economic development of member countries by strengthening infrastructure and key sectors of the DRC’s Southern Corridor, with a view to attracting investments.
The 7th edition of the Concrete Expo pursues two major objectives. First of all, it aims to encourage developers, legislators and decision-makers from the Southern Corridor member countries to collaborate to transform this part of the continent into a profitable zone for all. This requires the establishment of a multimodal structure and a regional development corridor oriented towards multi-sectoral development. Then, this event seeks to facilitate the reliability of the development corridor which extends to all member countries.
The importance of this theme led the organizers to use the summary report of the old edition as a preparatory document for the 7th edition. Thus, the event will bring together customary authorities, construction professionals, military engineering corps, teachers and students, as well as players in the real estate and hardware sectors.
The Concrete Expo program includes high-level sessions with construction industry experts, open days, BtoB meeting sessions and a sponsored dinner. The overall objective of this event is to stimulate regional development and promote cooperation between the member countries of the Southern Corridor.
In conclusion, the 7th edition of the Concrete Expo demonstrates the importance given to the development of infrastructure and key sectors in the Southern Corridor region of the DRC. Through collaboration and coordination among member countries, it is possible to create a favorable environment for investment and economic growth. This event constitutes a platform for exchange and reflection to find lasting solutions favorable to regional development.