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The specialised annual expo for companies in the mining, engineering and transport sectors is organised by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company in conjunction with the Chamber of Mines.
In an interview, ZITF Company marketing and public relations manager Mrs Noma Ndlovu said exhibitors had started arriving.
“The exhibitors mostly from South Africa have started arriving and are working on their stands as we speak. However, international exhibitors have not yet arrived,” said Mrs Ndlovu, who is also the ZITF Company assistant general manager.
The expo will be officially opened by Vice-President Joice Mujuru and is expected to start on a high note with more than 230 direct exhibitors having already confirmed participation.
“I cannot confirm off hand the number of exhibitors that have so far arrived.”
Foreign exhibitors are expected from Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, China, Russia, Dubai and Indonesia.
Statistics show that Mine Entra 2012 has surpassed the 1997 edition, where the company recorded the highest number of exhibitors and amount of space taken.
The 1997 event was housed in Hall 3 and 4 and recorded more than 6 000 square metres of exhibition space.
This year’s event has already recorded 6 900 square metres of exhibition space, which is a remarkable figure if compared to 5 798 square metres total space sold at Mine Entra 2011.
Mine Entra provides a platform for networking, exchange of ideas and deal making.
Major highlights of the showcase include the Mine Entra 2012 conference and Joint Suppliers and Purchasers conference.
During the conferences, topics to be discussed include the development of the mineral sector and its contribution to the economy, policy initiatives for competitiveness of the Zimbabwe mining sector, trade measures for mine development, trade capacity and constraints of the Zimbabwean supply sector as well as initiatives needed to grow the sector.
Deliberations during the suppliers and purchasers forum will also focus on how industrial and trade policies support local procurement, the manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe with emphasis on how its challenges and solutions have implications on the mining sector.
Online Reporter