SMEs spur Agic Show

as they seek to extend their contribution to the country’s economic growth.
Some SME exhibitors who spoke to the Herald Business expressed confidence of increased business transactions and opportunities to market their wares during the course of the exhibition.

Mrs Christine Mpofu of Sardine Enterprises, which deal in women’s fashion accessories, said they were expecting increased business during the exhibition.
“Although the first few days traditionally experience low turnout, we are hoping that when the human traffic improves this will result in better business,” she said.
Peace Security customer service executive Mr Chamunorwa Mandeya said his company was using the opportunity to market its range of products.

“We are hoping to give the public a feel of the security services that we offer.
“We are also taking the exhibition as an opportunity to introduce our latest product line, that is, Walk Through Alarms Systems or Electronic Article Surveillance, that will add value to the general public’s security requirements,” he said.

If adequately supported, small-to-medium enterprises can produce competitive products because of the low transaction costs that are derived from their low capital and labour costs.
They can record growth margins even in conditions of liquidity shortages such as the one the country is undergoing. Zimbabwe Agricultural Society public relations Mrs Sibonginkosi Muteyiwa said her organisation had taken an active strategy to make sure that more SMEs could exhibit at this year’s edition.

“As an organisation we believe SMEs are a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, hence our encouragement of their promotion.
“This year we have been in support of their participation by making sure that their stands are affordable, as well as staggering payments between April and July,” she said. Mrs Muteyiwa added that the extension of the Harare Agricultural Show’s running period from the traditional six days to nine would help exhibitors in getting more business-to-business transactions, especially during the first three

days.
Generally, both organisers and exhibitors have expressed confidence that there will be an increase in deals during the course of the event.

“The quality of exhibitions this year is very good. This is across all sectors including agriculture, industry and commerce, which is likely to result in increased business volumes compared to last year,” said Mrs Muteyiwa.