Zimpapers Logo

Business Reporter
MORE than 100 exhibitors have registered so far to participate at next year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), an official has said.Speaking at the official launch of the 2014 trade fair marketing campaign on Tuesday evening, ZITF Company chairman Mr Bekithemba Nkomo said 50 000 square metres of exhibition space had been reserved for the trade showcase.

“To date, over 100 exhibitors including leaseholders have booked over 40 percent of the available space,” he said.
He said the 2014 ZITF was a landmark event as they will be celebrating 55 years of excellence in trade facilitation and exhibition.

Mr Nkomo said the ZITF 2014 marketing campaign targeted local and international participants adding that foreign nations such as China, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia had expressed interest in the upcoming trade fair.

The trade fair company was also in the process of re-engaging international agents so that they could start actively selling the expo.
“We have agents in Brazil, Germany and German-speaking countries in Europe, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, as well as in South Africa. Our agent in South Africa is also active in Angola, Ghana and Kenya.”

Mr Nkomo said next year’s trade fair that will be held under the theme, “New Ideas To New Heights” called on industry to embrace innovation because it enabled businesses to increase efficiency and productivity through the development and adoption of new technologies.

He said the 55th edition of the trade fair that would be held from 6 to 10 May will continue to highlight technology-driven concepts to add value to participants as well as facilitating information sharing and networking.

Speaking earlier at the same occasion, the guest of honour, Kango Products managing director Mr Ignatius Mavhunga, said innovation was a catalyst for economic growth adding that it was important for business minds to start talking of innovation.

“The nurturing and harnessing of internal  innovation is premised on management culture that is ready for a paradigm shift. Leaders of organisations should always thrive for continuous innovation for improvement of efficiency and productivity. Bulawayo used to be an industrial hub but today it is a case of how quick it can be resuscitated and it needs outright innovation intervention to move in line with technology advancement,” said Mr Mavhunga.