Londile Moyo
Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected]
THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has said that the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) remains a strategic platform for the retail and wholesale sector to strengthen its positioning within the broader economic value chain.
ZITF opens its doors for the 66th edition on Monday at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City in Bulawayo, running under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries.”
Responding to questions sent to him by Zimpapers Business Hub, CZR president Dr Denford Mutashu said the ZITF provides a unique interface between producers, distributors, financiers, technology providers and policymakers, creating real opportunities for integration and growth.
“For retailers and wholesalers, participation goes beyond exhibition, it is about unlocking new supply networks, identifying competitive sources of products and building relationships that enhance efficiency across the value chain,” said Dr Mutashu.
“The convergence of local, regional and international players at the ZITF allows the sector to expand market access and explore cross-border trade opportunities.
“This is particularly important in improving product diversity, stabilising supply and enhancing price competitiveness for the benefit of consumers.”
Last year, an estimated US$296 million to US$379 million worth of business leads were generated at the expo, according to organisers.
Business leaders say that exhibiting at the fair offers companies a rare opportunity to directly engage policymakers, investors and potential clients under one roof while showcasing innovation, new products and services to a diverse audience.
For emerging enterprises and start-ups, the platform provides visibility and credibility, enabling them to benchmark their products against industry leaders while unlocking new distribution channels.
Dr Mutashu said the platform creates space for meaningful business-to-business engagements, where strategic partnerships can be forged to strengthen operations, improve access to finance and optimise logistics and distribution systems.
“In line with the thrust on connected economies, the fair also exposes retailers and wholesalers to emerging technologies that are shaping the future of commerce,” he added.
“The sector is encouraged to leverage this exposure to accelerate digital transformation through the adoption of e-commerce platforms, digital payment systems and modern inventory management solutions that enhance efficiency and customer experience.
“ZITF also provides an important platform for engagement with policymakers, allowing the sector to contribute to ongoing discussions around creating an enabling business environment.”
He said issues related to taxation, regulatory compliance and access to affordable capital remain central to the growth and competitiveness of retailers and wholesalers and that such platforms are critical to ensuring the sector’s voice is heard.
“We are glad and anticipating that this year’s discourses will build on strengthening the transformative strides in easing the cost of doing business that the Second Republic, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Dr ED Mnangagwa, has achieved,” added Dr Mutashu.
“Beyond this, participation enhances brand visibility and market confidence, particularly for small and emerging players seeking to formalise and scale their operations.
“This aligns with the broader national agenda of integrating informal traders into structured value chains, promoting compliance, improving standards and contributing to economic formalisation.”
Dr Mutashu said: “As CZR, we encourage our members to participate actively in ZITF and to strategically leverage the platform to build resilience, strengthen competitiveness and continue to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation agenda under Vision 2030.”
Meanwhile, the City of Bulawayo, as the host city, has assured that the city has been spruced up for the event.
In his comments on Thursday, the city mayor, Councillor David Coltart, said the city is reasonably well-prepared, adding that there is still a lot of work to do in the remaining days.
He said the city has done some tidying up around the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City.
“However, there’s much that will not be completed. For example, Matopos Road does not look as though it will be completed. And some of the main roads leading to the trade fair, including Parirenyatwa and Robert Mugabe, will not be done as hoped,” said Clr Coltart.
“Our water supplies will be adequate, and the city is reasonably clean, certainly cleaner than most cities and towns in the country.
“So, if I were to rate our state of preparedness, I would say that we’re probably 60 percent ready. We’ve set a very high standard for ourselves that I would like to see improved, but we are gradually making progress.”
Also, the City of Bulawayo is hosting different local authorities from various Southern African countries. The city’s economic development officer, Mr Kholisani Moyo, said: “We have got a team from Francistown, we have a team from Polokwane and we have a team from Eswatini, who are also going to be with us at our stand.
“So, in a nutshell, we are ready for the event and we are at almost 90 percent in terms of our exhibition stand preparedness for the event.”
Online Reporter
Sidumisile Mabena