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Lovemore Zigara, Midlands Correspondent
CHINESE Ambassador Mr Wuang Pin will officially open the Midlands Agricultural Show (MAS) in Gweru this week where about 165 companies will participate.

Organisers of the annual event say preparations for the show are in full swing with 90 percent of stands having already been taken up.

This year’s edition starts on Thursday and will run until Sunday under the theme: “Creating wealth through value addition”.

MAS marketing manager, Mr Patrick Chademana, told journalists during a press conference that they are expecting this year’s show to be bigger and better.

“Ninety percent of our stands have been taken up and we are expecting more exhibitors at this year’s show as seen by the number of inquiries at our offices. About 155 to 165 companies are expected to exhibit at this year’s showcase.

“By show time we expect to reach full capacity as some exhibitors are used to doing things at the last minute,” said Mr Chademana.

He said there were 22 new exhibitors this year among them Command Agriculture, ZimSwitch, Registrar General’s Office, the Meteorological Services Department, Luxury Living and Gweru’s local commercial radio station 98.4 FM Midlands among others. To militate against the cash crunch being experienced on the market, the show society has adopted the use of plastic money and will make available POS machines as well as mobile money for the convenience of the public.

“We are conscious of the fact that there is a shortage of cash which is currently being experienced on the market and we have put in place measures so that the public can transact easily,” said Mr Chademana.

“So far we have received three POS machines and we are expecting more before the show for use by the public. We will also be accepting mobile money, that is, your OneWallet, Telecash and Ecocash for those who will be coming to the show,” he added.

MAS is the country’s third largest exhibition event after the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.

@lavuzigara1