adminBrighton Gumbo Business Reporter
A TOTAL of 45 local companies have registered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s procurement division for the supply of various goods and services, ZimTrade chief executive officer, Sithembile Pilime, has said. According to the UNDP, only 20 Zimbabwean companies were registered to supply goods under the UN system. Addressing participants during the inaugural United Nations Procurement Division (UNPD) vendor briefing and registration seminar in Bulawayo on Friday, Pilime said 25 more firms have joined the scheme.
“We now have a total of 45 registered companies that have registered with the United Nations Development Programme’s procurement division for the supply of goods, services and other essentials,” she said. Pilime said the seminar was meant to provide an opportunity for more companies that are eligible to find a ready and reliable export market for their products.
“The seminar comes at an opportune time when the country is looking at ways of reducing the trade deficit which has continued to widen,” she said. “Total exports during the first half of 2015 were $1.23 billion, having registered a small increase of 0.39 percent compared to the same period in 2014. Total imports for the same period in 2015 were $3.1 billion, having increased by 2.3 percent compared to the same period in 2014.”
Pilime said the increase in imports over the period has resulted in an increase in the trade deficit to $1.83 billion from $1.76 billion. She said holding such seminars was critical towards increasing companies’ awareness of business opportunities available within the United Nations and to assist them with the registration process.
“The seminar presents an excellent opportunity for companies to learn more about business opportunities that are available within the UN and what the vendor registration process entails,” Pilime said. Statistics indicate that developing countries contributed only 9.7 percent to the UN in 2013, a market that procured $3.2 billion worth of products and services in 2014.
“One of the main reasons for this scenario is lack of exposure to the UN tender system and how to participate in the UN procurement activities. “Such seminars are, therefore, crucial in assisting to bridge this gap in the supply of goods and services to the UN,” Pilime said.
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