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Minister Mike Bimha

Business Reporter
Zimbabwe will officially launch its first ever Trade Information Portal (TIP) next week on Thursday.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Mike Bimha and the Head of the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe Ambassador Philippe Van Damme are expected to open the facility.

Over 100 delegates, including captains of industry, diplomats and government officials are expected to attend the launch where the International Trade Centre (ITC) will be represented by its trade information advisor, Martin Lopez.

In a statement released yesterday, ZimTrade said the TIP is an online platform which provides a comprehensive, single-point access of up-to-date trade, investment, economic and regulatory information.

“TIP offers access to market intelligence, trade news as well information on trade regulations, duties, taxes and other services that facilitate trade.

“It will also have market profiles of selected countries, priority manufacturing sub-sector briefs, the government policies/regulations on international trade and Zimbabwe’s trade agreements,” ZimTrade said.

The portal was developed under the EU-funded trade and private sector development programme (TPSDP), which is being implemented by the ITC in Geneva.

Online tools, such as the ZimTrade Virtual Library, the Zimbabwe-European Union Business Information Centre (Zim-EBIC) and the International Trade Centre’s Market Analysis Tools will also be available on the portal.

“The portal will assist current and potential local exporters, international business partners, public authorities, business consultants and investors to access information, which is imperative in making informed business decisions,” said ZimTrade.

A number of countries have introduced the trade information portal as a means of facilitating trade and increasing transparency.