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Business Editor
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) company has launched its 2015 marketing campaign and set dates for the international business exhibition.ZIFT general manager Nomathemba Ndlovu officially launched the campaign for the 56th edition of the trade fair in Bulawayo on Thursday evening.

She told the business community and government officials who attended the event that next year’s expo would run under the theme “Stimulating Trade”, building from previous exhibitions, which emphasised creation of business networks and innovation to achieve sustainable growth.

“We’re saying the time is now to turn our potential into valuable trade in order to get the domestic, regional and global economy thriving again,” said Ndlovu.

“We’re therefore calling the local business community, both large corporate and the small to medium enterprises, to participate in ZITF 2015.

“This will be the perfect opportunity to showcase the best that Zimbabwe has to offer, as well as share ideas on how you’re working towards stimulating trade within the economy.”

Ndlovu said the ZITF 2015 expo would be a multi-sectorial trade fair, an ideal  platform to seek new markets as well as getting a snapshot of Zimbabwe’s investment potential.

She said the 2015 exhibition was focused on key sectors of the economy such as machinery and expertise in infrastructure development, manufacturing, mainly value-addition.

Automation and supplies for agro-processing, knowledge and service industry in relation to education and tourism as well as innovation and modern information systems would also be on the spotlight.

The exhibition will kick off on April 21 with exclusive business days up to April 23.

The international business conference is scheduled for April 22 followed by a ZITF charity golf challenge the following day.

April 24 will be the official opening day and beginning of public days up to April 25.

Ndlovu said already more than 100 exhibitors had registered their participation in the 2015 expo and invited more to book their space.

She said the trade showcase would run concurrently with A’sambeni Africa business tourism expo, packaging and printing industry exhibition, scholastic exhibition for education, careers and training, Ultim8 home, a home improvement expo and the Bulawayo Agricultural Show.

This year the trade fair attracted 654 participants who filled 93 percent of the exhibition space.

Of these, 562 were local exhibitors with 92 foreign participants.

Twenty three foreign countries participated in the fair including the United States of America, Brazil, Indonesia, China, Poland, Pakistan and Britain.

In terms of profile Ndlovu said 78 percent of the exhibitors this year were of senior, middle-level management and supervisory positions.

She said top product sectors were drawn from ICT, careers and training, manufacturing, agriculture equipment, engineering and energy and service industries.

Of visitors during the fair Ndlovu said 4,800 were business visitors, 25 percent sales and marketing, 12 executive management and 35 percent decision makers.

ZITF remains a critical platform in driving investment and linking businesses towards developing the country’s economy.