Chronicle Editor
Sunday News Reporters
HWANGE and Victoria Falls local authorities feel the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) has had a significant impact on them as it presented them with economic synergies and more innovative ways to enhance economic growth.
The two urban local authorities that were exhibiting jointly at the ZITF said they were ready to move to the next level through the knowledge they gained from the trade showcase and also through partnerships and more connections that they made.
Victoria Falls public relations and economic development manager, Mr Ngqabutho Moyo said being at the ZITF offered them an opportunity to meet suppliers and investors.
“Being part of the ZITF allowed us to meet suppliers and develop a database for procurement and creating alternatives. We also met prospective partners on identified projects and we marketed for public uptake what we offer as local authorities,” said Mr Moyo.
“As a council, we are participating in local and international shows. We also upload projects and prospective partnerships on our website and Zida platforms. We are also participating in provincial investment initiatives as well as providing land and basic services for businesses to expand or establish. Through the ZITF, we are also hoping to enhance the creation of employment for women, youths, and SMEs as we have seen a lot of opportunities that can help grow our city,” said Mr Moyo.
Mr Xolelani Ncube, Hwange Campfire manager under the Hwange Rural District Council said he was motivated by what other local authorities and organisations were doing, especially in terms of smart technology.
“As Hwange, we want to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the areas of technology, agriculture and mining and projects done by women, among others. From a rural local authority perspective, there’s quite a lot for us to tap into in the area of green energy or smart energy. I was quite privileged to see other companies that are into green energy.
“We will try to facilitate processes where we also harness solar, biogas and other interventions that are environmentally friendly. It is quite encouraging when you see others doing it and you would want to learn from them. You realise it is not just on the Internet when you see communities that are taking it up and benefitting.”
He said the trade jamboree presented a platform where those from the rural local authorities come face to face with technology and innovation.
“When you’re coming from a rural authority you’re taken aback. You get to see how the world is operating and it also positively impacts our level of doing things and thinking. I was also privileged to see the agricultural stands where we have drone technology in rural set-ups, in terms of manoeuvrability restrictions like bad roads and long distances you can use a drone to deliver certain items within communities, as long as we have the network in the area as it will allow the drone to function properly and that is the technology we desire in our rural setups,” Mr Ncube said.
He added that being at ZITF was an eye opener and a challenge to rural communities that for them to progress, people need to embrace technology and also do due diligence to say, which one best works for them.
He added that innovation and technology were part of the driving forces towards the attainment of Vision 2030, whose import was to move the economy from a lower to an upper-middle-class economy and that ZITF made that vision very clear.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter