Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Local tobacco firms, led by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), are showcasing their “golden leaf” at the sixth annual China International Import Expo (CIIE), which began on November 5 and ends on Monday in Shanghai.
China is already Zimbabwe’s largest single consumer of tobacco, importing roughly one – third of the annual crop, and the expo offers a platform to deepen the relationship.
The focus then shifts to the Middle East, a crucial emerging market, where Zimbabwean companies will exhibit at the World Tobacco Middle East from November 10 to 11 in Dubai.
TIMB chief executive, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, highlighted the significance of these expos in light of the growing output.
“These expos provide the opportunity for local companies to seek markets in light of growing production,” Mr Matsvaire said, emphasising the strategy to diversify markets and attract investment for local processing.
The dual participation underscores Zimbabwe’s long-term strategy to leverage its agricultural success into sustained export revenue, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the global tobacco trade.
