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Business Editor
A TOTAL of 26 Zimbabwean companies will participate at the Agricultural and Commercial Show of Zambia next week to network and harness export opportunities in the neighbouring country. ZimTrade, the country’s trade promotion arm, will lead the delegation that is drawn from different sectors of the economy.
SME export development manager Allan Majuru said yesterday:
“We’re taking 26 companies to the Zambian agricultural and commercial show next week to establish business linkages. Zambia is a booming economy and we need to tap into opportunities in that country. There are many areas where we’ve competitive advantage in terms of goods. The participating firms have been drawn from sectors such as leather, agriculture, clothing, engineering and pharmaceuticals.”
Majuru said the participation of Zimbabwe at the Zambian expo was critical following the release of market survey results on the stated categories that showed local firms could reap huge profits from a supply gap to the neighbouring country.
Zimbabwe and Zambia share close diplomatic and business ties dating back to the pre-independence era.
However, the trade imbalance between the two countries has become a matter of concern after it emerged that Zambian exports to Zimbabwe exceeded $1.3 billion between 2010 and 2014 compared to $406 million imports from Zimbabwe over the same period.
Zambian firms also participated at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in April, which was officially opened by that country’s President, Edgar Lungu.
Majuru said ZimTrade would in the next three months conduct other market researches targeting Namibia, Angola, Tanzania and Kenya to establish export potential for local firms. He urged companies to engage the trade entity for assistance in making export breakthroughs. Majuru said his organisation was engaging the government in enhancing export processing saying most companies struggle to get documentation for exports.
Online Reporter