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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company (ZITF) says preparations for this year’s Mining, Engineering and Transport exhibition (Mine Entra) have gathered momentum.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa will be the guest of honour at the show that runs in Bulawayo from July 20 to 22.
“The 21st edition of Zimbabwe’s largest mining, engineering and transport exhibition are at their peak. Online business visitor registration is open and the Mine Entra 2016 mobile app is also ready for download,” said ZITF Company marketing and public relations manager, Ms Stella Nkomo, in a statement.
Highlights of the three-day event are the inaugural infrastructure development, Mine Entra 2016 and the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation conferences.
The Infrastructure Development Conference, which is expected to attract top players in the infrastructure development value chain would be hosted in conjunction with the Zimbabwe National Road Administration on July 20.
“The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Dr Joram Gumbo has confirmed his attendance at the symposium, which is set to attract top players in the infrastructure development value chain. Some of the topics for discussion include; unpacking bankable projects in Zimbabwe, funding options available for infrastructure development and the use of Information, Communication Technology to optimise scarce resources for road maintenance,” said Ms Nkomo
On July 21, she said Mine Entra 2016 conference, which is a must-attend event would be held and the business event is set to address the immediate challenges facing the mining industry.
Some of the challenges facing the mining sector, she said are the current cash crisis, the recently introduced monetary policy initiatives and their implications to the mining industry as well as incentives to support mining investment and exports.
“Other key issues to be discussed include the evaluation of Zimbabwe’s beneficiation and value addition strategy for the mining sector, creating an enabling investor climate: ease of doing business in Zimbabwe and promoting local value chains through synergies between the manufacturing and mining sectors.”
The ZMF Conference will be held on July 22.
The conference seeks to create a platform for small scale miners to engage with their policy makers, suppliers and service providers to discuss specific challenges and opportunities within their sector.
This year’s expo will see the Mine Entra 2016 Charity Golf Challenge being held for the second time on July 22.
The tournament was introduced last year as part of the Mine Entra at 20 celebration activities.
Ms Nkomo said preparations for this year’s golf challenge were at an advanced stage with player registration underway.
“The charity event is aimed at offering an additional networking platform to participants, at the same time fulfilling the company’s corporate social responsibility goal to ensure that each ZITF-organised event gives back to the community.”
She said last year’s golf challenge’s net proceeds were donated to a patient at the National Social Security Authority Workers’ Compensation Rehabilitation Centre who had been rendered a quadriplegic when a mine shaft collapsed at his place of work in Mvurwi.
Online Reporter