90 percent of trade fair space taken up

Business Reporter
ABOUT 90 percent of the available space at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) has been taken up, an official said yesterday.

The 58th edition of the ZITF will run from April 25 to 29 in Bulawayo.

Speaking at a Press conference in the city yesterday, ZITF Company board chairperson Mrs Ruth Ncube said preparations for the trade fair were progressing well.

“Bookings and enquiries continue to come on a daily basis from within Zimbabwe and abroad with a total of 41 000 square metres having been booked so far.

“This represents close to 90 percent of space taken which is at par with the figures we had this time last year,” she said.

Mrs Ncube said foreign participation was encouraging with 14 countries having confirmed participation.

These include Botswana, China, Ethiopia, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Turkey.

This year’s event runs under the theme, “Harnessing Linkages for Industrial Development.”

“With regards to our foreign participants, engagement with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Department of Immigration has been completed.

This will ensure smooth travel and clearance at our border posts,” she said, adding that they have also made a formal request to Zesa for exemption from load shedding.

Highlights of the five-day event include the ZITF International Business Conference on April 26 organised in partnership with the National Economic Consultative Forum.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa would be the guest of honour at the conference and is also expected to deliver a key note address.

A forum on original equipment manufacturers will be held on April 27 in conjunction with the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries.

The trade fair will also run concurrently with sector-specific expos; A’sambeni Africa Business Tourism Expo, Ultimate Home, Pakprint and Scholastica.