adminpart compared to last year’s figure of 755. The drop was attributed to an increase in the number of foreign companies that took bigger stands.
There were a total of 157 foreign exhibitors with China and South Africa contributing the largest chunk of these exhibitors.
A survey carried out by Herald Business at the ZITF showed that both local and foreign companies were happy and substantive deals would be signed in the near future.
Various local companies said that they had witnessed an improvement in the quality and amount of business recorded this year although most of them could not say the exact nature of the business garnered.
Representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry expressed pleasure in the number of people that had come enquiring about the UNWTO to be hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia this year.
“We received a lot of enquiries and we are happy that most of these came from people that we need to work with to make the general assembly a success,” an official at the ministry’s stand said.
Another representative at the Zimtile stand also said his company had recorded an improvement in business at the ZITF.
“I can safely say, this year is better than last year in terms of business. We had many people enquiring about our products and we hope that next year will be better,” he said.
Companies that were showcasing under ZimTrade also benefited from the fair.
ZimTade chief executive Ms Sithembile Pilime said: “We are yet to collect all the information on the business generated by our companies but l can tell you that this year has been good and everyone is happy.”
A visit to the Brazilian Embassy showed that the agricultural sector would receive a boost from the business that was being generated.
Vice Consul at the Brazilian Embassy Mr Hovsep Seferian said the companies that attended this year’s fair were mostly those that produced agricultural equipment.
“We feel that agricultural equipment is needed in Zimbabwe and because our soils are similar, we use the same type of equipment and seeds. We feel that more practical connections must be established and so far, we are happy with the progress,” he said.
He added that his country had already shown interest in working with Zimbabwe as evidenced by the government to government negotiations that had seen Brazil extend a line of credit under the More Food Programme.
A representative from Botswana Education Hub Performance improvement co-ordinator Mr Billie Loeto also said there was an increased number of people who were interested in enrolling with universities in the country.
“I was here last year and the interest in us was not as high as it is this year. Our role is to recruit students interested in enrolling at universities in Botswana and this year I have registered more than I did last year,” he said.
ZITF board chairman Mr Bekithemba Nkomo said that there had been a notable improvement in this year’s edition of the fair.
“The preliminary exhibitors’ survey reveals that most exhibitors are happy with business generated, the majority will participate again next year,” he said.
This year, 17 countries participated including Botswana, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
A total of 49 000 square metres of exhibition space was occupied compared to 48 697 square metres last year.
Online Reporter