adminhas already approved the plans. We hope there will be some visible work in 12 months,” he said.
Mr Nkomo said the 300-bed hotel and conference centre would be built within the ZITF Grounds. The Bulawayo-based ZITF Company is responsible for hosting the annual ZITF, as well as other exhibitions such as Mine Entra and A’Sambeni Africa Tour and Travel. During the trade fair period, accommodation is usually scarce in Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
Mr Nkomo said the company had also acquired equipment to build exhibition stands which it could hire out to earn extra revenue. Before the acquisition, the equipment used to be hired from South Africa.
Turning to the benefits of hosting the Trade Fair, Mr Nkomo said it was difficult to quantify the amount it generated or business deals that were clinched during the showcase as exhibitors were unwilling to disclose the information.
“It is roughly estimated that business worth around US$8,5 million was generated at this year’s ZITF,” he said.
Mr Nkomo, however, said the Trade Fair provided a marketing platform for the country as an investment destination. It also provided a platform for local companies to showcase their products to other local and foreign companies.
Bulawayo also reaped benefits from hosting the fair as revenue from a variety of activities accrued to the city. The Government owns half of the shareholding in the ZITF Company. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter