happiness Chikwanha
Business Writer
As a response to COVID-19, ZimTrade has developed an online platform that will enhance engagements of local companies with international buyers as well as improve the visibility of locally-produced products and services.
According to the export promotion body, the technology-centered online shop will help local companies, particularly small businesses in international markets, expand their visibility.
With the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, it is critical to have a strong online presence as conventional means of trading, particularly physical engagement between buyers and exporters have been affected.
Although these are unprecedented times for businesses, coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has brought with it a new way of doing business, particularly for most businesses in Africa that had previously under-utilised online platforms.
Market scans have revealed that many local producers lack the global presence that could catapult their business into financial success.
Potential exporters entering the international market on their own often face steep challenges of acceptance owing to, for example, lack of exposure and skepticism by established buyers.
The goal of the online store is to be the one stop shop for authentic Zimbabwean products obtained at source.
“ZimTrade’s online store seeks to be the nurturing, umbrella incubator for all Zimbabwean exports online, capitalising on the already known and reputable name that it bears as the nation’s trade development and promotion body.
“Shop@Zim is expected to provide an alternative access to markets where physical trade fairs and exhibitions have been suspended, ” Zimtrade said in a press release.
For local companies, the platform will create more streams of generating foreign currency and harness the benefits of the digital economy for corporate level and national level economic growth.
It will provide Zimbabwean companies with a medium to still reach out to export markets without being limited by border closures and travel bans.
Currently, the platform has been designed to facilitate business to business engagements between local exporters and international buyers.
Plans are to expand the platform so that it accommodates purchase of commodities, including product units, by the end users.
Bongani Ndlovu