Zimpapers Logo

Mine Entra 2014 recorded 67 new exhibitors says chairman Bekithemba Nkomo 

Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter

A TOTAL of 218 exhibitors have participated at this year’s edition of Mine Entra expo, occupying 93 percent of the space that the organisers of the event targeted to sell.

The trade showcase that was being held under the theme, “Innovation, Beneficiation, Growth”, ended today.

Addressing a Press conference, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company chairman Bekithemba Nkomo said the 19^th edition of the exhibition had been compact and focused.

“The exhibition spanned 4,457 square metres which translated to 93 percent of the space we had targeted to sell. We had a total of 218 exhibitors compared to last year’s 239. Of these 35 were foreign, and 183 were local. Direct exhibitors were 174 (159 local, 15 foreign),” he said.

Indirect exhibitors at this year’s exhibition were 44 and of these 24 were local while 20 were foreign.

Foreign exhibitors were from countries that include Germany, South Africa, Britain, China, and Zambia.

Nkomo said Mine Entra 2014 recorded 67 new exhibitors.

“Of the local exhibitors 52 percent were from Harare, 44 percent from Bulawayo while the balance is from other cities. The quality of the stands and exhibits is reflective of the theme which centred on innovation and beneficiation,” said Nkomo.

He said worth noting at the 2014 Mine Entra was small-scale miner’s representation that saw the United Women Miners’ Association and the Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Council participating.

Of the local exhibitors 52 percent were from Harare, 44 percent from Bulawayo while the balance was from other cities.

“Other small-scale mining groups participated in the concurrent conferences and these include Women in Mining and Youth in Mining. Exhibitors and visitors surveyed expressed satisfaction with the amount of business generated during the show.”

Added Nkomo: “One German exhibitor, visiting Zimbabwe for the first time on an exploratory mission said he is impressed with the state-of the art equipment he has seen at the exhibition which he says has made him keen to return and do more business. He said he has had promising conversations with local players that he would like to pursue after the show.”