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Noma Ndlovu

Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company has launched another sector-specific exhibition aimed at creating awareness in  the water, sanitation, hygiene and energy  industries.The expo, which is called WASHen, is scheduled   for September 25 and 26 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo under the theme, “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development”.

“The exhibition will present opportunities for investment, joint ventures and technology transfer, “said the ZITF Company general manager Noma Ndlovu.

She said the objective of the exhibition was to provide a platform where water sanitation  and energy issues could be showcased and   discussed.

“This is because water, sanitation and energy management issues remain topical on a global scale. In the Zimbabwean context, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) economic blue-print puts water management, sanitation, hygiene and energy as key infrastructural areas requiring urgent attention,” said Ndlovu.

She said the sale of exhibition stands had  begun with the expo targeting exhibitors in areas that include sourcing, extracting and storing   water, treatment for portable water, treatment and disposal of waste water, irrigation, dewatering equipment and systems, and harnessing and transporting water.

Ndlovu said access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities were considered as basic human needs and pre-conditions for economic and social development.

She said many people in Zimbabwe did not have access to clean water sources.

“On the other hand, climate change and the need to manage diminishing fossil fuel reserves are, today, two of the biggest challenges facing  the planet and it is widely accepted that  stakeholders must act now to reduce energy consumption and substantially cut green house gases such as carbon dioxide,” Ndlovu  said.

It is hoped that the WASHen expo will be a one-stop, all-inclusive, interactive platform and marketplace on extremely important resources, combining a trade show with interactive educational and networking programmes.

The launch of the WASHen exhibition brings to six the number of sector-specific exhibitions  that the trade fair company organises and  hosts.

The sector-specific exhibitions under  trade fair include Mine Entra, A’Sambeni Africa Business Tourism and Travel Expo, and PakPrint.