adminenterprises compared to last year, with more than 100 exhibitors participating this year.
One of the organisers, Ms Annie Gumbo of Convention and Exhibition Services Company, said they are pleased with this year’s turnout especially that of SMEs.
“Most of the exhibitors at this year’s show are SMEs and this year we have also managed to accommodate different sectors including manufacturing, tourism, retailing, construction and financial,” she said.
Ms Gumbo added that ZB Bank has given most of the SMEs exhibitors financial support.
“ZB said they want to support SMEs financially and by training them how to handle businesses,” said Ms Gumbo.
She added that currently the town is constituted by around 1,5 million people, the majority of whom commute everyday to Harare to conduct business, work and to buy groceries therefore there was need to promote businesses in Chitungwiza.
This year’s expo, which is running under the theme “Promoting Business Opportunities in Chitungwiza”, will be officially opened by Minister Sylvester Nguni on behalf of the Vice President Joice Mujuru today at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
She also said the expo is a forum for business and the market place to exploit the niche businesses opportunities available in the town.
Mr Obert Machiridza, one of the event organisers said Chitungwiza, has a lot of SMEs and their wish is to see these enterprises growing.
“Chitungwiza has a lot of SMEs and our wish is to teach people and inform traders on how to showcase their products and services in order to grow their businesses.
“The town has no culture of exhibition and our hope is to instill this culture in them and make them appreciate the importance of exhibiting their products and services as this provides a platform to market their products.
“The expo serves as a platform for companies to showcase their products, reach out to more customers and enhance firm to firm relationships. So I urge Chitungwiza business people to exploit this opportunity,” he said.
An award ceremony will be held today in honour of Chitungwiza outstanding business personalities and exhibitor of the year.
The organisers indicated that the expo seeks to showcase and build Chitungwiza as a leading industrial and commercial hub that investors can “pour their investment into”.
“For the Zimbabwe Gross Domestic Product to increase, businesses have to be decentralised and Chitungwiza presents itself as the best alternative.
“One of our major aim is to promote investment opportunities in the town, find new markets and increase awareness on products and services provided in Chitungwiza,” said Mr Machiridza.
He added that the other objectives are to invite foreign investors for co-operation in investing in Chitungwiza and educating the public of the current business opportunities and trends in the town.
One of the exhibitors who sells clothes and beauty accessories, Ms Evelyn Kamuruko lamented the need to address the issue of foreigners who are occupying most of the retailing space in the country.
“There is need for relevant authorities to address this issue and make sure that indigenous people get a larger chunk of retailing space. The other problem that needs to be addressed is the issue of high rentals. We need to see places like Chitungwiza Town Centre and High Glen Shopping Centre being fully utilised rather than lying idle.
“Many SMEs cannot afford paying rentals, therefore Government should address this issue and see to it that indigenous people benefit the most,” she said.
Big corporations such as ZB bank, Netone and CBZ among others have also graced this year’s expo.
Online Reporter