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Kudzanai Sharara in CAIRO, Egypt
ZIMBABWE is expected to feature prominently at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), which begins here on Thursday, as the country continues to position itself as an investment and trade partner of choice.
IATF is a unique platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1,3 billion people with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over US$3,5 trillion created under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The fair, which is hosted by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, will be running from November 9-15.
It allows African businesses to forge new relationships, business opportunities and stimulate intra-African trade.
Not only will Zimbabwe have its own pavilion, with several firms that have been mobilised by ZimTrade exhibiting, but it will also be showcasing investment opportunities in the country on various platforms throughout the fair.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka is the high-ranking official from Zimbabwe who is expected to speak at the fair in a panel discussion on “Ensuring Food Security through Agricultural Productivity and Intra-African Trade”.
The panel discussion, which will take place on November 12, will discuss the challenges and investment opportunities to raise productivity and better develop intra-African and global agricultural value chains.
On the same day, there will also be a side event on “Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Mission to Egypt: Promoting Trade and investment under AfCFTA”.
Zimbabwe’s participation at the fair is in line with Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement drive, which is being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa.
In a recent interview, ZimTrade communications manager Mr Danai Majaha said the trade development and promotion body is targeting at least US$20 million worth of deals to be concluded during the fair.
“We believe that this is going to really strengthen Zimbabwe’s footprint across the continent,” he said.
“Our target is to grow based on the success that we recorded in the previous IATF that was held in South Africa, where deals worth US$15 million were concluded during the trade fair.”
Online Reporter