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Ashton Mutyavaviri
THE national trade development and promotion organisation of Zimbabwe (ZimTrade), in partnership with the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ), is training small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on marketing and branding skills to penetrate the export market.
The SMEs were drawn from various sectors such as horticulture, tea producers, processed foods, building and construction and arts and crafts, among others.
ZimTrade recently held a four-day training workshop for marketing and branding for International Competitiveness Master class with small businesses in Manicaland province.
“The participants received training on digital marketing, market retention, export market opportunity analysis and the fundamentals of export marketing.
“These tactics opened the eyes of these SMEs to the enormous potential of their products on the international market as well as the critical steps to be taken to ensure their success on the international market,” read the newsletter.
ZimTrade encouraged SMEs to effectively consider value addition and be creative to avoid operating on credit and have value for money by rethinking the model.
Another critical emphasis was on export documentation including Bill of Entry Form, Export Invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin, Consignment Note, Customs Declaration Form (CD1) and Export Licence, highlighted the newsletter.
ZimTrade trainers explored and reiterated the importance of self-branding and how to effectively communicate the business’ unique value proposition to international customers as well as to bankers.
Founder of Nyanga Craft, which specialises in apple value addition, Mr Marlvin Chieza, commended the export trainings saying they would boost growth of small businesses.
“We have our operations in Nyanga where we process apples juices, vinegar and ciders, and we have been eyeing the export market for our niche products.
“ZimTrade has done us a great favour through this capacity building training, out of which we have acquired a lot of knowledge,” said Mr Chieza.
Online Reporter