Chronicle Editor
Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
ALL is set for the 22nd edition of the Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) expo, which starts tomorrow in Bulawayo with over 120 exhibitors having so far confirmed participation at the showcase.
Last year, the three-day event closed with a total of 91 exhibitors.
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company (ZITF) general manager, Mrs Noma Ndlovu, told journalists during a press conference yesterday that this year’s show would focus on maximising on-site connections with a view to creating mutually beneficial relationships at every mining value chain touch point.
“The ZITF Company is pleased to announce that all is now set for the 22nd edition of the Zimbabwe’s premier, mining, engineering and transport showcase, which begins this Wednesday.
“To date, over 120 exhibitors had confirmed their participation in this year’s show, occupying almost 4 000 square metres of exhibition space. This represents 80 percent of the space made available for sale.
“Of these direct exhibitors, two are foreign exhibitors coming from the People’s Republic of China and South Africa,” she said.
Over the past three years, foreign participation at Mine Entra came from individual companies in China and South Africa.
This year’s Mine Entra, which runs under the theme, “Exploring Linkages in the Mining Value Chain”, will be officially opened by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Walter Chidhakwa on Thursday.
In line with the theme, Mrs Ndlovu said this year’s Mine Entra would feature a number of new developments that seek to increase deal-flow and add further impetus to the national drive to make mining a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.
“In terms of local participation, 62 percent of the confirmed exhibitors are coming from Harare while 29 percent will come from Bulawayo and the remainder from other cities.
“This year’s exhibition will feature an interesting and varied product mix appealing to both large and small-scale mining operations. As part of the organisers’ quest to proactively facilitate compliance with the proposed local content policies, 32 percent of the participating exhibitors will be local manufacturers of mining spares and mineral processing equipment,” she said.
Mrs Ndlovu said key highlights of this year’s event include two new knowledge exchange platforms namely the Women in Mining breakfast and the Young Professionals Forum, both of which will take place tomorrow.
An inter-ministerial roundtable discussion on the Government’s vision for a growing mining industry and its contribution to sustainable development will be held on Thursday.
“This discussion will form part of the must-attend, annual gathering of mining stakeholders, that is, the Mine Entra Conference. Minister Chidhakwa will deliver the key note address.
“The other ministries which will be taking part are Transport and Infrastructure Development, Industry and Commerce, Energy and Power Development as well as Finance and Economic Development,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
The Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation conference will be held on Friday.
“The conference is a targeted platform for small-scale miners to engage with their policy makers, suppliers and service providers to discuss specific challenges and opportunities within their sector. This year’s conference will focus on enhancing the ease of doing business for the sector,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
Some of the other products on display include detection and lifting equipment, chemicals and explosives, compressors, protective clothing and equipment, seals, bearings and gears, drones, as well as medical aid, insurance and security services.
Since 2009, the mining sector has been recognised as one of Zimbabwe’s major economic mainstays contributing about 60 percent of the country’s exports.
@okazunga
Online Reporter