A year after Cyclone Idai, Chimanimani eyes ZITF

Takunda Maodza Manicaland Bureau
THE business community in Chimanimani is working on a joint exhibition at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, slated for Bulawayo in April, in bid to market opportunities in a dis­trict that was severely pummelled by Cyclone Idai last March.

ZITF this year is running under the theme “Augmenting Trade and Investment towards a Shared Vision”.

Judging by its abundant opportunities in tourism, timber, fruits, coffee and tea, Chim­animani has great potential to boost the eco­nomic fortunes of Manicaland in an era when Government is speaking of devolution.

In an interview with The Herald yesterday, the brains behind the initiative Mr Madla Mataure – the general manager of Chiman­imani Hotel – said it was important to put the district on the world map, a year after it was hit by Cyclone Idai. The tropical cyclone killed hundreds and destroyed infrastructure worth over US$1 billion.

“It is about the business community of Chimanimani coming together to collectively market ourselves locally and to the rest of the world,” said Mr Mataure.

Tomorrow the business community in Chimanimani is expected to meet and brain­storm on the possibility of exhibiting at the ZITF under one banner.

“We will start with a local expo here in Chimanimani in March where each business is going showcase what they are offering in terms of products and services so that we can help each other find ways to collaborate and boost our businesses. The local expo will help us see how best we can work together,” said Mr Mataure.

“We are meeting on Wednesday (tomor­row) in Chimanimani to brainstorm and build data of local businesses so that we can start to plan for our local expo set for March. It is one year after Cyclone Idai and it is time that Chimanimani rises and put itself on the world map,” he added.

Chimanimani has great potential in tour­ism. Its beautiful mountains are a hiker’s par­adise. The district also boasts other tourist attractions like the Hotspring, Bridal Veil Falls, rare birds and monkeys and Chimanimani National Parks. It is also a prime investment destination with opportunities in diamonds, timber plantations, macadamia nut farming and fruits ranging from bananas to pineapples.