Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has called on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Beitbridge to manufacture high-quality products, leveraging on the country’s natural resources, to export to South Africa.
According to the world’s leading data visualisation tool for international trade data, the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) World, the exports from Zimbabwe to South Africa have increased at an annualised rate of 34,9 percent, from US$330 million in 2017 to US$1,47 billion in 2022. In 2022, Zimbabwe did not export any services to South Africa. In 2022, South Africa exports to Zimbabwe were US$2,12 billion.
Officially opening the 4th edition of the Beitbridge Business Expo on Saturday, ZNCC Matabeleland Chapter vice-president, Mrs Beauty Bhulu said the participation at the Expo attests to its growing reputation.
“The Expo’s strategic partnership with the Municipality of Beitbridge exemplifies the essence of international collaboration. I encourage our SMEs to manufacture high-quality products, leveraging our natural resources, to export to South Africa, just as we import from them.
“With at least five South African entities exhibiting at this year’s Expo, I must commend the strategic partnership between the Beitbridge Expo and the Municipality of Beitbridge for yielding such impressive results,” she said.
Mrs Bhulu said this year’s Expo has attracted a diverse array of participants, including multi-brand corporations, Government service providers, parastatals, retail organisations, and civic groups, among others.
She said this broad participation attests to the growing reputation of the Expo and its ability to host a multi-disciplinary event.
“I was particularly pleased to see the involvement of the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), Gwanda State University (GSU) and Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), among others. We applaud their efforts to expand academic outreach to all corners of the country, aligning with the Government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) drive.”
Mrs Bhulu said as an executive member of the ZNCC she was pleased to recognise that Beitbridge was home to several ZNCC award winners, including the Beitbridge Business Expo chairperson Dr Anna Muleya and her vice- chair, Mrs Sikhathele Musakwa from Oakleigh Trust, Mrs Nokhuthula Ngwenya from Croc Foods, Nottingham Estates, Mazunga Safaris, Beitbridge Juicing and Nyaradzo.
She said this demonstrates the commitment of the Beitbridge business community to drive both community and economic development, in line with the Government’s goal of achieving a middle-income economy by 2030.
“The ZNCC National Executive is closely monitoring developments in Beitbridge and plans to establish a permanent office in the town. This move will align commercial standards and give this important border town a direct voice in matters affecting commerce and related areas,” she said.
“Beitbridge has experienced a real estate boom, spurred by the upgrade and modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post. This project has also brought along a fire station, a 220-unit Government Staff Village, an upgraded sewer oxidation plant, an 11,4 million litre water reservoir, a new Ministry of Transport Depot, and a one-stop-shop Animal and Plant Quarantine centre.”
Mrs Bhulu said these developments reflect the Central Government’s commitment to decentralising services to grassroots populations, in line with the devolution mantra, while she was eager to see how the business community will leverage these opportunities.
ZNCC Matabeleland regional manager, Mr Mduduzi Ncube said the Beitbridge Business Expo has been allocated land on the town’s periphery, with plans already underway to host next year’s Awards and Expo on the site.
He said this was a bold move by the Beitbridge Business Expo committee in achieving this milestone.
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