Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Technology Development dominated the awards of the 64th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2024, scooping the winner for Supreme Zimbabwean Exhibit and the best Zimbabwean Exhibit: Education and Training.
The designer of the winning exhibit, Interlink Advertising and Printing, was also presented with a ZITF Gold Medal among several exhibitors who were yesterday honoured for displaying outstanding products and services at the country’s premier multi-sectoral trade showcase.
The competition had 24 categories and in each category, the first-place, second-place, and third place winners were announced. Guest of honour, Kenyan President Dr William Ruto, presented trophies and shields to winners.
The ZITF 2024 theme “Innovation: The Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade” highlighted that innovation, industrialisation, and trade are complementary forces that open pathways to economic growth and progress.
It also recognised that Zimbabwe boasts a vibrant and growing economy which is supported by Government initiatives as espoused in Vision 2030, whose focus is on promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, equitable development, and prosperity for all.
In line with the theme, most exhibitors this year captured the important elements. In the energy category, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) was named the winner.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training won in the first-time exhibitor category.
In the tourism and travel category, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) scooped the first prize.
Premier Service Medical Aid Society was named the winner in the medical and health-related category.
In the Information Communication Technology (ICT) category, NetOne emerged as the winner. The first prize in the civic participation category went to the City of Masvingo, while in the small to medium enterprises (SMEs) category, Duracrete was the winner.
Verify Engineering (Private) Limited received the first prize in the agricultural and/or irrigation equipment category.
Treger Products (Private) Limited was named the winner in the construction, building, and hardware category.
In the furniture, home improvement, and interior category, Allied Timbers scooped the first prize.
Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe scooped the first prize in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and toiletries group.
In the food group, Delta Corporation Limited was crowned the winner, while also being in third place in the Supreme Zimbabwean exhibit category.
Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe was crowned the winner in the mining and engineering category.
In the packaging, plastics, stationery/publishing and printing category, Zimbabwe Post scooped the first prize.
In the motor trade category, the winner was the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara). Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) scooped the top prize in the business support and regulatory authorities while in the clothing footwear, textile and accessories category, the winner was Edgars Stores Limited.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police scooped the non-industrial/non-commercial display category award.
This year’s ZITF attracted 27 nations whose exhibitors also competed among themselves for the best foreign display, which went to the European Union delegation to Zimbabwe.
The Designer of the Outstanding Foreign Display, E-Branding Worx was also presented with a ZITF Gold Medal.
The annual ZITF Innovators Forum ran a pitch competition for young creative minds to pitch their innovative ideas to solve business challenges.
The winning innovation was awarded to Elevate Trust. Players in the Bulawayo Agricultural Show also had a competition for the champion slaughter animal, with City of Kings being the winner. The prize for the Best Agricultural Stand at the show went to Farm and City Centre.
Bongani Ndlovu