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Brighton Gumbo Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s premier mining, engineering and transport (Mine Entra) exhibition kicks off in Bulawayo today with 160 local and foreign exhibitors participating. China, Germany and South Africa are among foreign direct exhibitors joining local players in the 20th edition of the specialised expo, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company chair, Bekithemba Nkomo, said yesterday.
“A total of 160 direct exhibitors have reserved space so far while last minute bookings continue to come in and we expect a marginal increase in the final figures,” Nkomo told journalists.
“Bookings to date amount to 4,700 square metres of exhibition space. This represents 92 percent of the space available for sale.”
Nkomo said Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa will officially open the event today paving way for topical discussions on a range of mining issues.
Among discussion highlights for the day are fiscal incentives to support mining linkages, overall growth of the mining sector, empowerment models that support linkages and community development, mining policy and development of the industry.
Finance and Economic Development Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, will also make a presentation today.
A number of delegates are expected to attend tomorrow’s deliberations by joint suppliers and producers focusing on downstream and upstream industries in the mining value chain.
“This year’s focus is on local procurement and supply chain challenges as well as how local communities can benefit from mining projects and initiatives,” Nkomo said.
On Friday, the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZFM) will have their annual small-scale and artisanal miners’ conference.
“This year’s conference will focus on issues affecting the special interest group, including improved mining methods, environmental responsibility, and acquiring financing,” said Nkomo.
Many exhibitors were yesterday busy on their stands in Hall 4.
Among the early birds were Africa Steel, Boc Gases, National Proshaft Centre, Adalet Fire Engineer, Sasol, Industrial Sands, Motech Africa, Letaba Pumps, TelOne, ZETDC, Paramount Garments, Bluetek, PPC, Zimtile, SAZ, P and R Hydraulics and Garaget Forecourt.
Mine Entra 2015 is a landmark event as the exhibition celebrates 20 years of existence.
Over the past two decades, the exhibition has grown and evolved into a one-stop shop for marketing intelligence, image-building, networking and business development for the different industries, said Nkomo.
Part of this growth has seen Mine Entra develop into a series of networking event. Running concurrently with the exhibition are the annual Mine Entra conferences.
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