Business Connect to host SMEs international expo

in Harare.
The expo will be held under the theme “Working together we can make a difference”.
Business Connect chief executive Mrs Blessing Magenga told Herald Business in an interview that the expo is the first of its kind and is aimed at developing synergies in the sector and unlock value in the economy.
“The expo is aimed at linking SMEs and corporates through various networks and the exhibition of products and services.
“It will also serve as a stepping stone for SMEs to exploit business opportunities as they arise,” she said.
Mrs Magenga also added that the event is expected to be a premier trade show that enhances competitiveness of SMEs while helping them to meet their business needs.
“Local SMEs should maintain effective communications with Government to encourage the latter to provide greater support to SMEs and to extend privileges and benefits that are equal to or even greater than those given to larger enterprises,” she said. All SMEs in different sectors of the economy both nationally and internationally are expected to exhibit at the expo.
“This will give them greater mileage and help them to enhance their brand image. Corporate companies will also be exhibiting at the expo so as to create a platform to allow for communication and a better networking grid between the SMEs and the corporate companies,” said Mrs Magenga.
As part of the expo, a conference will be held on October 27 and will run under the theme “Financing for SMEs: Reality or a mirage?”
Several high-profile people will speak at the conference on different categories of various businesses.
Topics to be discussed include SME capitalisation programme and Government initiative in Zimbabwe, the role of SMEs and indigenisation in Zimbabwe, agro-marketing and contract farming.
She said they are targeting about 500 exhibitors. She urged SMEs and corporates to work together to create a new model for enhanced exchange, co-operation and development.
“Trade organisations from different countries should co-ordinate their efforts and implement practical and effective cross-border exchange and collaborative measures in the areas of intellectual property, technology transfer, innovation, financing, market development, human resources and consulting,” she said.
Mrs Magenga said to help beat the grim financial crisis in the world, SMEs from all nations should work together to seek co-prosperity by partnering, supporting and complementing each other.
The Business Connect is a weekly business newspaper that is distributed for free and is organising the expo in conjunction with ZimTrade, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Spiritage Group.