Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
BOTSWANA is expected to send a large business delegation to exhibit at the 66th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which opens in Bulawayo on Monday, reflecting the deepening bilateral economic ties between the two neighbouring countries, ZITF Company chair Dr Busisa Moyo said yesterday.
Botswana President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko is scheduled to officially open the exhibition on April 23, and that will further stimulate mutual business engagements from both states.
The 66th premier trade showcase will run from April 20 to 25 under the theme: “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries” at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City in Bulawayo.
ZITF remains one of the largest multi-sectoral trade exhibitions in sub-Saharan Africa, drawing exhibitors, investors and business delegates from across the region and beyond.
The annual showcase has evolved into a flagship economic event that connects Zimbabwean enterprises with regional and global markets.
Addressing the media yesterday, Dr Moyo said Botswana had consistently increased the number of firms participating at the exhibition, underscoring the strength of bilateral trade relations.
“Obviously, having the President of Botswana as the head of State means that business people would mean that his business people would want to be around him which is normal,” he said.
“We saw that with Kenya when the Kenyan President came through, we saw a delegation and exhibitors coming through. Our theme is: ‘Connected Economies, Competitive Industries’ and we are very connected. We import many products from Botswana and Botswana also imports from Zimbabwe,” said Mr Moyo.
“A lot of Zimbabwe companies are in Botswana and vice versa. So, we expect that the will be a definite increase of exhibitors. I need to say that Botswana has been one of those countries that have had a large contingent of exhibitors for the last three years.
“They have really supported us. It is also because ZITF is of value to them and they see the value in the Zimbabwe market so we expect Botswana companies to take advantage of the opportunity in having their President officially open ZITF.”
Dr Moyo said the exhibition space uptake had reached 97 percent as of yesterday, with 49 810 square metres already taken up out of the available 51 170 square metres.
“I am pleased to announce that we have 485 direct exhibitors, including 100 leaseholders. International participation is quite strong, with 46 international exhibitors from 29 countries,” he said.
Participating countries include: Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, China, Denmark, Eswatini, Ethiopia, the European Union, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Zambia.
Dr Moyo noted that some countries that participated last year would not be exhibiting this year due to changing foreign policy dynamics, geopolitical tensions and constrained budgets.
“I want to highlight that some of these countries that we have said are not exhibiting are taking part in ZITF in various ways. For example, the United Kingdom is still hosting our welcome cocktail. The USA is supporting our innovators forum,” he said.
“So, exhibition does not necessarily mean non-participation in ZITF, and what I am highlighting is exhibitors. I also wanted to highlight for your indulgence and clarity that while we welcome embassies to exhibit and it’s fantastic that they do exhibit, what we are really after is the private sector from those countries. And that is where we have been probing and pushing for embassies to invite their private sector companies to come.”
Business visitor registrations have also risen significantly to 10 472, compared to 8 142 recorded during the same period last year, signalling growing interest in the exhibition.
The annual trade fair continues to position itself as a critical platform for fostering regional economic integration, enhancing industrial competitiveness and unlocking new trade and investment opportunities.
