adminthis economy.
This is in recognition of the men and women who criss cross countries to bring food to their tables while contributing to national economic growth in a phenomenal way.
The latest such corporate is Air Zimbabwe which has launched a facility with the Cross Border Traders Association of Zimbabwe under which the airline is offering discounted tickets to Johannesburg, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur for its members.
This will be under the fly-now-pay-later scheme entered into between the cross border traders association and FBC Bank a few months ago.
The airline’s marketing and sales manager Mr Christopher Kwenda said the package was exclusive to CBTAZ members only and would run until November 30.
At least 20 CBTAZ members would be catered for per flight on international routes and 10 on regional routes.
A two-way trip to Johannesburg inclusive of the return ticket will amount to a total of US$413 including tax.
Cross border traders travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are expected to pay
US$1 036 while a trip to Beijing will cost US$1 094 including tax.
CBTAZ president Mr Killer Zivhu was ecstatic about the facility, which he said would come in handy at a time when his members were expecting brisk business in the run-up to the festive season.
“This facility will come in handy and we are very excited about this development. Air travel is expensive so such discounts and such an offer from our national airline will boost our business.
“We are now approaching Christmas so we want to maximise this opportunity as traders so that people will go out there and bring goods for the festive season,” said Mr Zivhu.
Besides the discount, CBTAZ has also been accorded a higher baggage allowance than is normal with the kilogrammes allowable, depending on the route.
Under the FBC facility, members of the association, the bank will pay for air tickets which beneficiaries will repay over two months after selling their wares.
This would help CBTAZ members, many of whom have had to endure long distances by road because they would not have enough capital to purchase wares and pay for airfares at the same time.
The cross border sector has contributed significantly to the Gross Domestic Product and has increasingly become a source of income for many families and communities. Many Zimbabweans have anchored their growth and wealth accumulation on the trade.
Online Reporter