Chronicle Editor
Nothando Zondo, Sunday News Reporter
INSIZA District in Matabeleland South Province is gearing up for its second Industrial Expo aimed at promoting value chains and linkages across different business sectors to empower communities and boost economic development.
Scheduled for between October 2 and 4 at Filabusi Show Grounds, the event will run under the theme: “Connect, Collaborate and Grow.”
The event will see the holding of the Insiza Got Talent (IGT) show semi-final competitions.
The business economy of Insiza District is primarily premised on mining, agriculture, retailing and emerging business ventures as a result of the growth of Village Business Units (VBUs).
In an interview, the principal administrative officer in the District Development Co-ordinator’s (DDC) office and general manager of the Industrial Expo, Ms Siceco Gwayi said building on the success of the annual district agricultural show, they will host a district industrial expo, designed to showcase and promote local industries.
“The elevation of Filabusi to a town status has catalysed the transformation of the annual agricultural show into a comprehensive district industrial expo. This revamped model will facilitate interaction and participation among a diverse range of businesses.
“We are delighted by the success of our inaugural event last year in October, which drew an impressive 96 exhibitors, so we believe the second edition will be bigger and better. We warmly invite external partners and local stakeholders to join us in large numbers and be a part of this significant event,” she said.
She said the three-day event will feature an exciting Insiza Got Talent (IGT) show, where talented performers will vie for prize money, showcasing their skills and entertaining the audience.
Ms Gwayi said they will also host an indaba for businesses and miners to interface with officials on current trends and the legalising of their businesses.
“The official opening will be conducted on October 4. The expo offers an opportunity for fledgling entrepreneurs and established enterprises to contribute to the development of a modern industrial business ecosystem. The target participants include commercial businesses, small-scale industries, miners, agricultural sector players and farmers,” she said.
To successfully host the expo, she said the Rural District Council (RDC) will employ strategies such as mobilising financial and material resources, setting up a dedicated committee with clear terms of reference to manage the expo’s administrative affairs, and establishing the committee as a separate legal entity comprising Government departments and private sector representatives.
Ms Gwayi expressed hope that the expo would become an annual event, focused on the growth of Insiza District economy and external business partners, with a non-profit orientation.
“The goal is to achieve self-sustainability and administer the district’s economic affairs, ensuring the event’s continued success. I am pleased and optimistic that the Insiza District Industrial Expo will be a resounding success and I anticipate a significant increase in exhibitors compared to last year’s event,” she said.
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