ZITF tonic for economy

Editor’s Brief

Victoria Ruzvidzo

The 63rd Zimbabwe International Trade Fair lived to its billing. In fact it exceeded expectations in many respects. A 30 percent increase in exhibitors was a phenomenal achievement that means more confidence in the economy and a strong belief in the current growth trajectory.

That the 27-member European Union (EU) participated for the first time and in full force is a huge statement and a game changer.

The engagement and re-engagement strategy is bearing fruit. Already, the EU accounts for 42 percent of fruit and vegetable exports from Zimbabwe. We can only imagine the statistics in the near future.

This is a big market that local firms should seize with both hands. EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst Von Kirchmann was upbeat about trade and investment prospects between the two, emphasising we would need to work on the negative perception that most EU countries have about this country. Work is already cut out here.  Zimbabwe needs to continue on an aggressive path to change the wrong perception out there.

The just-ended trade fair presented yet another opportunity for local firms to show the world what we are made of and they did not disappoint. The theme ‘‘Transformative Innovation: Global Competitiveness” was apt. Innovation anchors development. Platforms such us ZITF expose firms to more innovative ways of doing business and more synergies are birthed.

The National Development Strategy 1 seeks to develop an export-led economy, hence the ZITF is an enabler of this process.

We run a weekly column in this paper by Zimtrade chief executive Allan Majuru, where he speaks of the best opportunities in the region and beyond.
It is a column I find a lot of value in, precisely because when we trade, we bring value. We elevate development. Furthermore, a platform such as the trade fair enables firms to expand networks, create new ones, get exposure and consolidate relationships.

It is an opportunity which should not be missed or underestimated. The business days which promote B2B (Business to Business) meetings and the hosting of two major international business conferences are critical in self-introspection and charting the way forward.

This is critical in boosting trade and enhancing Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in the global arena. Companies need to pursue all trade avenues available and extend their horizons while consolidating interests. At ZITF, a multiplicity of these will be on display. At this year’s fair, almost all sectors were fully represented. Information and communications technology, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, mining, health, Government ministries and such institutions as the United Nations were exhibiting. It was an amazing line-up that demanded a lot of leg work.

Indeed, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa was spot on when a few days before ZITF she said: ‘‘The nation should look forward to a resoundingly successful 2023 edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.’’ In many ways, it was highly  successful.

Huge deals were made, bonds were forged, new partnerships formed, new linkages made and new networks established. It is the whole essence of such platforms. To deepen, consolidate and expand. It provided the opportunity to operationalise the phrase that says think local and act global. It is one which prods economic players to expand their horizons.

To all intents and purposes, this continent lags behind, with intra-Africa trade at 12 percent, while other continents are above 50 percent. So, we have these kinds of platforms as the ZITF to advance our interests as a region and a continent.

This year alone, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Belarus, France, Germany, Iran, Italy,Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, China and the US, among others, participated at the fair.

Even the general public and small businesses, some of which were exhibiting for the first time, found value in the week-long event. ZITF chairman Mr Busisa Moyo and his team did a great job and must be applauded. Way to go Zimbabwe.

In God I Trust

Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 972.