Zimpapers Logo

Mine Entra 2014: Exhibitors put final touches to their stands.

Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
ALL is set for the 2014 Mine Entra expo at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo today with close to 200 companies having confirmed their participation as of Monday.The annual event that runs under the theme, “Innovation, Beneficiation Growth”, will be officially opened by Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa tomorrow.

Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company general manager Noma Ndlovu said over 90 percent of exhibition space had been taken up as the final stages of selling the exhibition came to a close.

“The exhibition has attracted bookings from 185 direct exhibitors occupying over 4,600 square metres and of these 17 exhibitors are foreign companies, representing Belgium, People’s Republic of China, Germany, Nigeria-Belize Chamber of Commerce, and the Republic of South Africa,” she said.

While some of the exhibitors started setting up their stands over the weekend, a majority of them were expected by end of day yesterday.
On exhibition will be products and services ranging from mining equipment, services to the industry, heavy engineering to chemicals, lubricants, pumps, water tools and building and construction equipment.

Heavy mining equipment, transport, hose pipes and generators would also be on display.

“Preparations for the two Mine Entra conferences that is Mine Entra 2014 Conference and the Joint Suppliers and Producers Conference are also at an advanced stage and we expect over 100 high-level delegates to take part in these deliberations,” Ndlovu said, adding that the two conferences would run under the exhibition theme.

Minister Chidhakwa would be the keynote guest speaker at the Mine Entra Conference while Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha would officiate at the Joint Suppliers and Producers conference.

Other speakers at the Mine Entra Conference include the Deputy Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Mathius Tongofa, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Samuel Undenge and Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Abigail Shonhiwa.

“For the JSP Conference, CZI president Charles Msipa, Buy Zimbabwe chief executive officer Munyaradzi Hwengwere and Bindura Nickel Corporation managing director Batirai Manhando are some of the speakers who will be making presentations,” said Ndlovu.

The Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small-scale Miners Council have also confirmed that they will hold their annual conference on Friday.