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Business Reporter
THE 2016 edition of the Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) exhibition kicks off at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo today.
The three-day specialised expo is an annual event hosted by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa is expected to officially open trade showcase tomorrow.
The expo is running under the theme, “Unearthing Opportunities”.
According to ZITF Company chairman, Mr Bekithemba Nkomo, the 2016 Mine Entra focuses on offering a platform for engagement and solution-mapping to realise economic growth and development from the extractive industry.
The trade fair company believes this year’s theme augurs well with the current situation where the mining sector is facing constraints that include high production costs, reduced earnings, absence of long-term finance and depressed opportunities for growth.
Last week, the ZITF Company said 117 direct exhibitors had confirmed participation at this year’s Mine Entra compared to 148 direct exhibitors in 2015.
In terms of local participation at the 2016 Mine Entra, 60 percent of the exhibitors are Harare-based, 35 percent are from Bulawayo while the remaining five percent are from other cities across the country.
Some of the exhibitors at this year’s event started arriving last Friday and on Monday.
The specialised expo features exhibits and discussions relating to improving the enabling legal and regulatory environment for investment.
It also focuses on building geological knowledge, ensuring prudent revenue management, as well as improving production and processing methods.
Highlights of the event include the inaugural Infrastructural Development Conference to be held today and is set to attract players in the infrastructure development value chain.
Tomorrow, there will be a 2016 Mine Entra conference which is expected to bring together policy makers and industry stakeholders.
Deliberations will be centred on issues affecting mining, engineering and transport sectors.
The Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation conference will be held on Friday.
The conference is a platform for small-scale miners to engage with policy makers, suppliers and service providers to discuss industry-specific challenges and opportunities.
During the conference, Minister Chidhakwa is expected to launch a $5 million facility that was recently availed by XCMG to small-scale miners.
Online Reporter