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Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter
VICE Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday toured stands at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and said they were impressed with the quality of  exhibitions.

VP Mnangagwa, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, was accompanied by his wife and MP for  Chirumanzu Zibagwe constituency, Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa, Permanent Secretary Virginia Mabhiza, Minister of State in his office Cde Clifford Sibanda, senior Government officials and ZITF general manager, Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu.

The VP visited his ministry’s stand in Hall 4, which was exhibiting different services that include processing of deeds, company registration procedures under the Companies Act, protection of intellectual property and the ease of doing business among others.

He also visited the Namibia stand, United Refineries, National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and the Command Agriculture stands. At the Command Agriculture stand, VP Mnangagwa admired different sections depicting sections that drive the agricultural programme such as tillage and planting, crop maintenance, marketing and harvesting. Companies supporting the programme were also exhibiting their agricultural products at the stand. The Vice President proceeded to the Zanu-PF stand, where senior officials took him through the party’s different departments including the Ministry of Welfare Service for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees.

The Zanu-PF stand is also exhibiting ethnic wear, accessories and value added agricultural products under the party’s empowerment programme.

VP Mnangagwa also met the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Walter Chidhakwa, after the launch of the $50 million facility for small scale miners where he was shown mining equipment that would be provided to miners under the scheme.

He proceeded to the Alpha and Omega Dairy stand before visiting the Great Zimbabwe University, the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and the Inter Ministerial Task Force. The VP also visited the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) stand. He said he was impressed with the degree of innovation exhibited by universities and other exhibitors.

He added that cluster systems introduced by the OPC were also a welcome development.

VP Mphoko later on visited the Turnall stand before proceeding to ZimTrade, South Africa, Namibia, Command Agriculture and Zanu-PF stands. He was accompanied by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr Mike Bimha, Minister of State in his office Cde Tabetha Kanengoni Malinga, senior Government officials and ZITF general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu.

From the Zanu-PF stand VP Mphoko visited the Ministry of Industry and Commerce where he met Scout Aerial Africa, which manufactures drones, where officials demonstrated how they use technology for surveys, anti poaching, media, mapping inspections and security.

He proceeded to the Alpha and Omega Dairy stand, Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development and the Bulawayo Agricultural Society, Motovac and Mineral Lab Zimbabwe.

VP Mphoko said products and services showcased at the ZITF showed that the people of Zimbabwe have enthusiasm and commitment in developing the country. “I’m impressed by what I saw, especially at the Bulawayo Agricultural Society, where they’re showcasing cattle. I noticed that the exhibitions have improved,” said VP Mphoko.

— @pamelashumba1