Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
NATIONAL trade development and promotion organisation (ZimTrade) says the introduction of provincial export clusters is impacting positively on trade gains with local producers reaping good results.
ZimTrade introduced the export cluster initiative last year following a directive by President Mnangagwa to ensure that every province contributes to economic growth through exports.
The drive towards export-led growth is fully expressed under the Zimbabwe National Trade Policy and the National Export Strategy (2019-2023), which aims to grow exports through market and product diversification.
ZimTrade’s Southern Region export clusters include the Matabeleland North arts and crafts, honey cluster and the Midlands horticulture cluster.
The adoption of a cluster production system has helped integrate women-led small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in different provinces into the mainstream economy through enhanced capacity to export.
In an update during the media engagement in Bulawayo on Tuesday, ZimTrade Southern Region client advisor, Ms Nozipho Maphala, said the clusters have been doing well, with the horticulture cluster in Midlands managing to export pears to the European Union, United Kingdom and other markets.
She also said the Matabeleland arts and crafts cluster is doing well as the group already had exporters in it, which made it easy for others to learn and produce for the export market.
“When we find orders for the clusters we ask the members to work together, which has helped to develop their ability to design different and various products,” said Ms Maphala.
She said Matabeleland North arts and crafts members have been doing well as they are producing for markets like Germany and Netherlands as well as the local market.
“So far, clusters are doing really well and next year we are looking forward to improving on the quality of their products to make them more attractive and competitive on the international market,” said Ms Maphala.
She said ZimTrade was going to train cluster participants on certification, which she said was critical for producers.
Early this year, ZimTrade organised an exporter capacity-building training workshop in Lupane for Matabeleland North export cluster members who, during the workshop, got an opportunity to learn from an export expert from the Netherlands.
Ms Maphala said during the workshop, participants learnt about the latest global export trends that include pattern designs and colours that attract buyers.
ZimTrade has also introduced the honey cluster in Matabeleland North to improve honey production for exports.
“We have three sights, which include the Zinaphi area, Gwayi and Lupane State University and these three will form the core of the cluster,” said ZimTrade client advisor Mr Velile Dube. —@SikhulekelaniM1
Online Reporter