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ZAMBIAN President Edgar Lunga is today expected to officially open the 56th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair that started last Tuesday, running until Saturday in Bulawayo. This year’s edition will be running under the theme: “Stimulating Trade: Seizing Opportunities to Accelerate Growth.” ZITF is the country’s largest intra-regional and international trade exhibition.
In a statement, ZITF Company general manager, Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu, said over 47 000 square metres, which converts to 91 percent of available space, had been sold.
“We currently have 412 direct exhibitors that had reserved space as of Monday and we are expecting more. The figure compares favourably with last year’s closing total of 396,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
Mrs Ndlovu said the figures of local companies participating had, however, slightly dropped compared to last year probably due to the continuing liquidity crunch in the country which continues to hinder most companies from re-capitalising.
She said in terms of local exhibitors, 55 percent came from Harare (last year 37 percent), 37 percent from Bulawayo (last year 35 percent) while eight percent came from other cities and towns around Zimbabwe, which is the same figure as last year.
She, however, said the number of foreign exhibitors had gone up from last year’s, with 32 exhibitors from Cyprus, China, India, Iran, Japan, Germany, Pakistan, Poland, United States of America, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.
About 20 Small to Medium Enterprises are also exhibiting this year under the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development stand.
The Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, said the number of SMEs exhibiting was divided equally among the 10 provinces in the country.
“There will be a workshop for these SMEs which will capacitate them on knowledge and skills necessary to boost their businesses,” said Cde Nyoni.
On the other hand, another first is the Zanu-PF Business Development stand.
Cde Nyoni, who is also the Zanu-PF secretary for Business Development and Liaison, said she wanted to promote a culture of business to party members.
“The mandate of my department is to show the business side of Zanu-PF and there is no better place to do that than the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
“We want to promote a culture of business in our members and we have invited three businesses from each province to come and showcase their products at our stands,” she said. Today, the annual International business conference begins.
Mrs Ndlovu said they were expecting close to 400 business delegates to participate.
Some of the keynote speakers at the business conference will be the Vice-President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Cde Mike Bimha and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa secretary-general, Mr Sindiso Ngwenya to mention a few.
Mrs Ndlovu said throughout the duration of the exhibition there would also be the Scholastica presentations and workshops.
“The objective of these seminars is to provide a platform for sharing the most varied, relevant, and up-to-date information covering a wide cross-section in continuing education, career and job guidance.
“An exciting programme of attention-grabbing speakers and topics has been lined up to achieve this.
“We have invited local schools, colleges and universities to take part in the workshops.
“Participants will also have an opportunity to visit the Scholastica exhibition where over 35 organisations are exhibiting.”
Manicaland businessman and Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce national president, Mr Hlanganiso Matangaidze, who is part of the delegates at the Trade Fair on Tuesday, said the platform was essential for local business to network and showcase their products to the world.
“This platform is important to create business linkages and networking.
“Local companies can also showcase to both local and international visitors the quality of products produced in the country,” he said.
Mr Matangaidze, however, said while the Trade Fair has been happening over the years, it was time to change focus and try to use such events to identify and build on strengths of the local industry.
He said there was need to look at the areas where Zimbabwe’s industry has competitive advantage and boost that industry showcasing it to the world.
Online Reporter