admin
Nqobile Bhebhe, Online Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company is this week embarking on stakeholder engagements in Bulawayo as part of preparations for the forthcoming annual exhibition.
To dominate the engagements is accommodation, and availability of key utilities such as electricity and water, during the exhibition.
The ZITF runs from April 25 to 29 under the theme “Transformative Innovation, Global Competitiveness”.
Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday in Bulawayo, ZITF company chairman, Mr Busisa Moyo said, “We are also actively engaging strategic stakeholders to ensure that the entire city is in an adequate state-of-preparedness as part of our broader strategy of increasing Bulawayo’s capacity to host large events.
“In fact, later this week, we will be hosting a luncheon for key stakeholders which include the city fathers, accommodation service providers, utilities such as electricity and water, amongst other service providers for such a discussion.”
The city usually faces accommodation challenges during the ZITF period.
Private landlords take advantage of accommodation challenges during the exhibition by charging high rates to desperate visitors.
Mr Moyo added “As organisers of the trade showcase, our teams are working around the clock to ensure that we have the human and system capabilities to handle the expected higher volumes of local and international visitor traffic. These include refining and stress testing our crowd management systems to maintain the high levels of service delivery that our stakeholders expect from us.”
As of Tuesday, 533 direct exhibitors, which is 27 percent higher than last year’s closing total of 420 direct exhibitors and 13 percent higher than the booking situation at the same time last year (471 direct exhibitors) had confirmed attendance.
ends
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter