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Addressing a Press conference, he said the 53rd edition of the ZITF was the most improved in the last three years.
“We had a huge waiting list of companies that had wanted to exhibit. After the 1st of April we were turning away those people who had not committed themselves fully on whether they would exhibit and gave space to others,” said Mr Chigaru.
He, however, could not be drawn to disclose the number and names of the companies that were turned away.
“Looking at the last three years, we have observed that the quality of exhibitions has changed for the best. We have seen an improvement in the quality of exhibitions from what we used to have,” he said.
Mr Chigaru was responding to questions by journalists after a presentation by ZITF Company chairman Mr Bekithemba Nkomo who indicated that the number of exhibitors had declined from about 800 last year to 675 this year.
“We started very well and we are pleased with what has happened so far. In terms of bookings, 98 percent of space has been sold. We have 426 direct exhibitors from Zimbabwe and 33 foreign. We also have 82 indirect exhibitors from Zimbabwe and 134 indirect foreign exhibitors. In total we have 675 exhibitors,” said Mr Nkomo.
Of the total participating companies Mr Nkomo said 199 were from Bulawayo.
Mr Chigaru said the reduction in the number of Bulawayo companies was due to the operational challenges which have seen many companies closing shop or relocating to Harare.
He, however, said there was increased participation by companies in the telecommunications, small to medium enterprises and education sectors.
ZITF assistant general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu said the reduction in the number of exhibitors did not mean that exhibitors were shunning the showcase.
“All the exhibition space was taken because the exhibitors were occupying larger stands. There is a lot of interest as companies realised good results from last year’s exhibition and they are now demanding bigger space,” she said. Mr Nkomo said there was an improvement in the participation of foreign exhibitors as some returned to the showcase after a long time of absence. Of note was the return of firms from Poland and Germany as well as Indonesia.
He said China had the largest contingent with more than 200 business people and 35 companies.
Mr Nkomo said ZITF Company recognised the participation of institutions such as Khami Prison Complex and Matopo Research Centre in the livestock sector.
He applauded the return of the small stock shows in sheep, goats and poultry, which were missing in the past few years.
He said the company has adopted a sectorial approach in exhibiting, which was in line with the global trends.
“We have adopted the idea of sectorial exhibition. The world is going towards this direction. You will realise that we have also done that. For instance our tertiary institutions are now grouped together as they provide a specific service and the same applies to health and engineering sectors and so forth,” he said.
The theme for this year’s ZITF is “Investing locally, reaping globally.”
Today there will be an International Business Conference where Vice-President Joice Mujuru will be the guest speaker.
More than 200 delegates are expected to attend the business conference to run under the theme “Investing locally, building local capacity and reaping dividends globally, turning a rich resource base into an industrial hub.”
This year the ZITF Company managed to facelift the exhibition structures such as the tarmac around the grounds.
ZITF grounds were a hive of activity yesterday as most companies started business.
A majority of companies had already mounted exhibitions and were busy attending to clients.
Online Reporter