tawandamusarurwa
Deputy News Editor
SEVEN small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were given the opportunity to exhibit their products to international buyers through the facilitation of ZimTrade during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) that ended yesterday.
In an interview, ZimTrade chief executive Mr Allan Majuru said the small businesses were being prepared to enter foreign markets.
He said the programme was geared to facilitate product improvement to meet market requirements by the SMEs.
He said the next step will involve facilitating funding for the enterprises in order to develop capacity to meet market demand for their products. One of the exhibitors, Ms Princess Siziba, who runs Indalo Skin Naturals, a skin care products manufacturing enterprise, said associating with ZimTrade has helped her company draw more business.
She said: “We are Zimbabwe’s first 100 percent vegan and all-natural skin care brand that is formulated using zumbani tea.”
“So, we take zumbani, crush the leaves and extract the juice and then we make soap, face creams, oils, exfoliating toners and other different skin care products. So, as a brand, we help people achieve clear skin the natural way.”
Her company won second prize during the most recent ZimTrade Eagle’s Nest Export Incubator Programme, paving the way for participation at ZITF.
She said exhibiting at ZITF was a dream come true. Another exhibitor under ZimTrade’s ambit was Nyanga Craft Cider, manufacturers of non-alcoholic juices and alcoholic ciders.
The enterprise makes beverages from fruits such as apples, pineapples and strawberries grown exclusively in Nyanga.
It currently employs five full-time workers at its plant in Rusape.
Co-founder Mr Marlvin Chieza said: “Having participated at ZITF, we see ourselves knocking doors in different countries.
“We have had a lot of people coming in, showing interest in our products.
“We have also had a few embassies engaging us to bring our products to corporate events.
This year’s exhibition captured the Zimbabwean industry’s innovative and vibrant resurgence in its full splendour, demonstrating the efficacy of the Second Republic’s interventions spurring industrial growth.
Apart from hundreds of local companies that were exhibiting, a total of 25 direct exhibitors from 21 countries also participated this year, up from 16 direct exhibitors from 13 countries in the previous edition.
This increase in foreign participation has been attributed to the Government’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
Foreign exhibitors were drawn from countries such as Angola, Belarus, Botswana, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The European Union also returned to the ZITF, after years of member countries participating individually, while the US also made a return.
Online Reporter