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His Excellency Murad Baseer
THE Pakistan Embassy in Harare participated in the 114th Zimbabwe Agriculture Show held in Harare from August 26 to 31, 2024.
This was the first time that the Embassy in Harare participated in the annual event and put up the Pakistan Pavilion. Around 23 Pakistani companies exhibited their products alongside some local sponsors. The embassy leased 171 square meters of space for exhibiting inside the Home Industries Hall at the showgrounds.
The Pakistan Pavilion was specifically themed, “Together with Zimbabwe”, to highlight that Pakistani companies were ready to play their role in not just reviving bilateral economic linkages, but also support the development process of Zimbabwe as envisaged by President Mnangagwa.
In this regard, Mr Shouban Akhtar, chairman of the Pakistan International Business Trade Industries Chamber (PIBTIC) from Lahore, led a 24-member business delegation to Harare to participate in the prestigious annual event.
The ZAS 2024 provided excellent opportunities to the visiting Pakistani companies to exhibit their products through this platform and to engage in B2B meetings with their Zimbabwean counterparts.
‘Made in Pakistan products’ were the centre of attraction in the Home Industries Hall to visiting dignitaries and the public, as the exhibits mainly included the auto parts sector (from filters to valves to alloy rims for tractors cars etc, starters, electrical wiring, plastics and rubber parts, ignitions and cables to horns, etc). There were companies exhibiting motorcycles, bore pumps, paints and chemicals, sports goods and apparel, motorbiking jackets and accessories, sanitaryware, kitchenware, military boots, sneakers and formal shoes, surgical instruments, home textile, garments, home decor, information technology, Zimbabwe tobacco refined in Pakistan, tractors and agri tools.
On August 29, the Pakistan Pavilion was graced by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who was the Acting President at that time. He was highly impressed by the products that were on display and visited all the stalls exhibiting at the Pakistan Pavilion.
He showed special interest in the 70cc motorcycle specially branded for the Zimbabwe market by the name of ZIMPAK.
N Stars, one of the Pakistani companies exhibiting at the event, signed an MoU with a Zimbabwean company to provide ZIMPAK 70cc motorcycles to the market in Zimbabwe.
Similarly, the Dr Chiwenga also showed keen interest in the sanitary and kitchenware. He was highly impressed with the tractors and agricultural tools that were also on display at the Pakistan Pavilion.
Other notable dignitaries who visited the Pakistan Pavilion included Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi.
A dinner was also hosted by the Ambassador of Pakistan, His Excellency Murad Baseer in honour of the Pakistan business delegation at his residence.
Guest of honour was Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. On this occasion the Ambassador of Pakistan opined that this was a great opportunity for Pakistani companies to see for themselves the opportunities available here in the Zimbabwe market, not just for exports, but also for future investments, especially in the manufacturing sector.
Dr Wushe Utete encouraged the Pakistani companies to use the opportunities provided for business by the Government of Zimbabwe. He also offered a piece of land for free, for investment in his hometown.
The Pakistani company representatives that took part in this annual event were happy to see the response to their products at the 114th ZAS 2024. A number of queries for the products came from the public, wholesalers, retailers, companies, organisations and Government.
The following Memorandum of Understandings were signed:
ZIMPAK subsidiary company of N Stars (Pakistan) agreed on supplying 70cc motorcycles to Jaraan Enterprises (Zimbabwe); NEXOS from Pakistan (manufacturers of cables, chargers and mobile accessories etc) with Febrite Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe); Faisal Sanitaryware (Pakistan) with Organic Flour Mills Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe) on supplying sanitary products; and Bravo Kitchenware (Pakistan) with Organic Flour Mills Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe) on supplying kitchenware products.
A number of the participating companies are negotiating for the supply of products from Pakistan to Zimbabwe.
The following proposals are currently in the pipeline: COBIJA Industries (Pakistan) with Ronnueville Motorcycles (Zimbabwe) for the supply of Motorbike Gear for the Military Police of Zimbabwe National Army; MB Malik Sports (Pakistan) with Jaraan Enterprises (Zimbabwe) planning to open a retail outlet in Harare; NEXOS (Pakistan) with ZIMPOST (Zimbabwe) on providing customised gift packs and cables, chargers mobile accessories; NEXOS (Pakistan) with Econet Zimbabwe for their customised products on providing gift packs and cables, chargers, mobile accessories; HIKMAT Pumps (Pakistan) with Roadside Trading (Zimbabwe) for importing bore pumps for sale in Zimbabwe; Shafiq Automotive Industries Pvt Ltd (Pakistan) in negotiations with Afritractors and Farmtrac (Zimbabwe) to provide filters for tractors; Prism Coating (Pakistan) with Jaraan Enterprises (Zimbabwe) for the supply of paint; SADAAT (Pakistan) manufacturers of components for vehicles, tractors etc with Zaylen Enterprises (Zimbabwe); and Askari Shoes (Pakistan) with Bhola Mega Mart (Zimbabwe) for safety shoes and joggers.
The visit of the PIBTIC business delegation from Pakistan has created a buzz in the commercial circles in Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
It is expected that this successful visit to Zimbabwe and participation in the ZAS 2024 will encourage other Pakistani businessmen and companies in Pakistan to come to Zimbabwe and explore the possibilities of joint ventures with local partners.
His Excellency Murad Baseer is the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Zimbabwe
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter