Ashly Dhani
Online Reporter
ZimTrade, the country’s trade and export promotion body, has been nominated for the prestigious World Trade Promotion Organisation (WTPO) awards, in recognition of its contribution to the development and facilitation of Zimbabwe’s exports.
This marks the first time Zimbabwe has been nominated for such an award.
In the WTPO nominations, that were announced recently, ZimTrade has been nominated under the “Best Use of Partnership” category that recognises the successful use of integrated partnerships and networks to advance export development and impact.
Other nominees in the same category are ProColombia (Colombia), Engineering Export Council of Egypt (Egypt), Business Sweden (Sweden), Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO, The Netherlands), Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE, Tanzania), Vietrade (Vietnam).
In a statement Wednesday, ZimTrade said one of the partnerships that motivated ZimTrade’s nomination was the “Best Model Farm” project, currently being implemented in partnership with the Netherlands-based PUM and Netherlands Embassy in Zimbabwe.
“In April 2016, ZimTrade partnered with PUM Senior experts of the Netherlands in an agreement to facilitate the access to expertise for local companies in Zimbabwe. The agreement covered a wide range of sectors, but horticulture was prioritised due to its potential for export growth. ZimTrade launched Best Model Farm project in 2019 after signing an MOU with PUM, a Netherlands-based organisation of senior expert consultants.”
Under the Best Model Farm project, ZimTrade is working with selected exporting farms to bring on board smallholder farmers in production of high value crops.
“This will ultimately increase volume of the country’s exports and reduce cost of freight. The project seeks to boost horticultural exports by smallholder farmers through various capacity development initiatives, including technical intervention trainings by local and international experts. The objective is to further develop production, quality and diversify of export products through the development of a robust out-grower scheme. “
ZimTrade has, since 2017, had a partnership with Senior Experten Service (SES), a Germany volunteer organisation for retired experts and executives with SES providing technical assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve productivity, quality and ultimately impact economic performance.
“The provision of technical assistance and factory floor interventions, through the partnership, has seen enhanced productivity and export competitiveness by some local SMEs. For example, some local companies have recorded about 15 percent improvements in efficiencies following interventions by SES.”
The WTPO awards are set to be held in October this year.
Online Reporter