Zimpapers Logo

Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor—
GLOBAL attention falls on Zimbabwe this week as the country holds its annual premier multi-sectorial trade showcase – the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2015 – which opens in Bulawayo today. About 419 direct exhibitors and 17 countries are participating in this year’s exhibition, which promises to be bigger and better, having recorded four percent growth compared to 2014. The figures compare favourably with last year’s closing total of 396 direct exhibitors.

This year’s fair is running under the theme, “Stimulating Trade, Seizing Opportunities to Accelerate Growth”, which dovetails with the ideals of the country’s economic blueprint – the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).

Exports are at the heart of revamping the country’s economy through increased markets for domestic industries hence the focus on trade partnerships.

Captains of industry across the sectors of the economy have high hopes this year’s trade fair will increase their visibility and trading stake in the global market.

“It’s visibility and mileage for local businesses that’s at stake here. ZITF is a marketing and advertising vehicle for firms,” Morris Mpala, a Bulawayo-based economist said.

“This is the right time to invest and bring about business partners for future growth. This is the prime time for Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole to showcase talent.”

The United States and the European Union have shown keen interest in trading with Zimbabwe as evidenced by the participation of newcomers – Germany, Japan and Cyprus after years of sour relations that culminated in the imposition of economic sanctions at the turn of the millennium.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu will officially open the 56th edition of the ZITF at an event that will be attended by President Robert Mugabe and Cabinet ministers on Thursday.

According to ZITF general manager Nomathemba Ndlovu, foreign participation in this year’s exhibition is high, with 32 organisations having confirmed participation.

Cyprus is making its maiden appearance and will be participating in the Scholastica, an educational and careers expo, through its University of Nicosia. Other countries include Botswana, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Poland and South Africa.

Eighteen countries participated last year.

Ndlovu said the exhibitors have taken up 46,018 square metres, which represents 91 percent of the space available for sale compared to 90 percent last year.

In terms of local participation 55 percent of exhibitors are coming from Harare compared to 57 percent last year while Bulawayo inched two percent higher to 37 percent participation from 35 percent last year.

The remaining cities and towns across the country account for only eight percent.

Meanwhile, the ZITF grounds were a hive of activity yesterday with exhibitors putting final touches to their stands.

Several participants from Zambia, Japan, DRC, Mozambique and South Africa had already pitched up by yesterday mid-morning.

Local firms and public institutions such as Econet, NetOne, NSSA, Potraz, Zimra, ZTA, Blue Ribbon and universities were also busy on their stands.

Others were still trickling in while some were already attending to visitors to their stands.

Uniformed forces — the Zimbabwe National Army, the police, prisons and correctional services, small to medium enterprises, farmers, insurance, motor industry, manufacturing and retail sectors had also set up their stands.

Zanu-PF is also exhibiting at the fair with the party’s director of economic affairs Cde Nyasha Mandeya saying “the party formulates the country’s policies such as indigenisation and the government implements. By participating in this event we’re supporting government policies on empowerment and indigenisation.”

The trade showcase opens with an incentive travel workshop today organised in partnership with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. The event seeks to demonstrate how incentive travel can be used to boost employee productivity among local corporates.

The annual International Business Conference is set for tomorrow and will be officially opened by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The five-day event runs concurrently with the sector specific expos that include the A’sambeni Africa Business and Tourism Expo, Pakprint expo for the printing and packaging industry, Scholastica, Ultim8 Home, a home improvement expo and the Bulawayo Agricultural Show.