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to the changing business environment to compete on the global market, Zambian President Michael Sata said yesterday.
Speaking at the official opening of the 2012 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, President Sata, who arrived in Bulawayo around 10am aboard an Air Zimbabwe plane, said Africa needed to develop sustainable economies through measures such as value addition.
Addressing thousands of people who gathered at the ZITF show- grounds, President Sata said there was a need for local companies to develop entrepreneurship skills and value addition strategies that would improve the quality of their products.
“The importance of trade fairs cannot be overemphasised as it is through such events that businesses interact and disseminate information on new business ideas. We need to explore ways of developing new technology and research. Allow me to challenge companies here to be innovative and adapt to the changing business environment in order to compete on the global market and achieve sustainable development,” said President Sata.
He said the theme of this year’s showcase was befitting as it embodied the need for African countries to develop their own sustainable economies.
“I have toured the stands and I am impressed by the quality of the exhibitions. The theme of the trade fair “Investing locally, reaping globally” is very appropriate as it compels us to focus on expanding and improving our own production capacities so that we have a share in the global economy,” he said.
“Promoting local entrepreneurship and value addition in our operations is an integral and significant component of business.”
President Sata emphasised the importance of investing in agriculture, saying the sector was the backbone of African economies, which should be prioritised.
“As businesses interact, let us remember that agriculture needs to be prioritised. The agriculture sector provides employment for a majority of our people and is the source of food security. Zambia and Zimbabwe are the breadbasket of Southern African region hence it is imperative to enhance agricultural productivity in order to alleviate poverty,” said President Sata.
“I wish to underscore the importance of reciprocal participation in each other’s trade fairs. We have a number of Zambian companies participating here and we also invite Zimbabwean companies to participate in our trade fair and agricultural show in June and August respectively,” said President Sata.
President Mugabe and his counterpart President Sata arrived to a rousing welcome from thousands of fair goers at the ZITF main arena.
As soon as the Presidential motorcade arrived with the two leaders being driven in a vintage car, the large crowd started whistling and ululating as they welcomed their leaders.
President Sata inspected a guard of honour, the highest honour given to a visiting head of state, before the start of the main proceedings.
Meanwhile, President Sata and his delegation left the country aboard a Zambian Airways plane at 4.45pm.
He was seen off at JMN Airport by President Mugabe, Vice President Joice Mujuru, Vice President Landa John Nkomo, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe, Cabinet Ministers, service chiefs and senior Government officials.
A few minutes later, President Mugabe and the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe also left for Harare aboard an Air Zimbabwe plane.
Online Reporter