Foreign companies hail show

Agriculture Reporter
ZIMBABWE has become one of the major markets for mining equipment due to the Government’s emphasis on minerals and the discovery of diamonds in some parts of the country. Companies exhibiting at the Harare Agricultural Show with heavy mining and road making equipment said they have received huge orders from Zimbabwe, prompting some of them to move into the country.

Southern Regional Trading Company official Mr Robert Zimbeva said the company, which is based in South Africa, recently established a branch in Zimbabwe after being overwhelmed by the demand for equipment.

“We were used to getting orders of a maximum of four heavy machinery such as earth movers, but Zinara, Hwange Colliery and other mining companies in Zimbabwe would buy above 20 machine at a time and we realised there was huge business in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mr Zimbeva said at one time another Zimbabwean company bought 40 machines at once and another batch of 40 heavy and expensive machinery.
Hitachi manager Mr Sean Collett said the wheel loaders and excavators the company was selling were on demand in the country.

“We have mining companies enquiring about the machines,” he said. “The excavators are used for loading coal and sand and we have huge mining companies, Zinara and municipalities making enquiries.”

Officials from agricultural machinery companies also said the Harare Agricultural Show presented them with the platform to meet their clients, showcase what they have and have a time to listen to the needs of their customers. William Bain and Company Holdings marketing officer Ms Mary Machingaidze said many farmers both large scale and small scale were enquiring on the machinery.

“We are just showcasing what we have and we have several enquiries since the beginning of the show. Small scale farmers are also interested in our small horse power tractors,” she said.

Suppliers of building machinery said they expected to register high business.
Harvey Tile manager Miss Netsai Sanyanga said many people were building houses and this has seen a boost in the business of roofing materials.
“The show is an effective way of marketing products and farmers are also interested in beautifying their homes,” she said.

Exhibitors are expected to have done some business and register many inquiries by the time the show ends on Saturday.