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Oliver Kazunga and Pamela Shumba Senior Reporters
A total of 19 countries are participating at the on-going Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) with exhibitors optimistic of clinching lucrative deals from the inquiries received on the first day of the trade showcase yesterday.The 2015 premier trade showcase kicked off in Bulawayo albeit on a low note with the cancellation of the tourism and travel expo and low activity at the agricultural show.

Notable activity was, however, observed in major sectors such as Scholastica, an educational and careers expo, parastatals, manufacturing and SMEs as exhibitors exchanged notes and made inquiries on business deals.

Foreign and local exhibitors who spoke to Business Chronicle said the inquiries they received on the first day gave them confidence of improved prospects than before.

“It’s not the first time for us to be participating at the ZITF. We’ve been exhibiting here for more than three years. The trade fair has been a platform to strengthen relations between Zimbabwe and Namibia at government level and also an opportunity to showcase our products,” Namibian Port Authority public relations assistant Cliff Shikuambi said yesterday.

“Namibia is participating at the ZITF with more than 50 exhibitors this year because we’ve in the past seen the benefits of showcasing at this trade fair.

“As a port authority, we’ve since morning been receiving a lot of inquiries, about 10 of them. Most of them were inquiries from Zimbabwe. Probably this is because Zimbabwe has become one of the biggest importers of second hand vehicles from the United Kingdom and America, which come through Namibia.”

Shikuambi said their embassy in Zimbabwe played a huge role in enticing Namibian companies to showcase at ZITF.

“We also have a pool of small to medium enterprises that we understand would arrive tonight courtesy of the Ministry of Trade from Namibia,” he said.

Christian Cecchi, a sales director with a South African firm, TruPVC Products said: “Inquiries have come through, although quite slow since it’s the first day. Attendance is a little bit down probably this is because it’s the first day. We’re hopeful that from tomorrow going forward until the last day of the trade fair, inquiries will increase and probably when we go back, follow-ups”.

Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association marketing intelligence specialist Lesley Squires said by mid-morning yesterday they had received four inquiries from Zimbabwe.

“We’ve had four definite inquiries this morning and we’re optimistic that by the end of day today the number would increase and also going forward more people would visit our stand,” she said.

The entity is an association of more than 400 members most of which are located in South Africa and are involved in the manufacturing of a variety of stainless steel products and servicing.

“Our membership serves a wide range of industrial sectors such as mining, architectural, building and construction,” said Lesley.
Lupane Women’s Centre training co-ordinator Florence Ndebele said besides expecting a prize at the ZITF, she was also optimistic that sales would improve.

The project, which specialises in basketry has more than 4,000 members from different parts of Matabeleland North.

“We’ve won prizes at the ZITF and I’m confident that we’ll win another one this year. We produce first class products and the ZITF has always helped us improve sales through interaction with companies and individuals.

“I’m also confident that this year’s edition of ZITF will help us get more customers and improve sales,” said Ndebele.

She said through the improved sales, the Lupane Women’s Centre has managed to establish partnerships with local and foreign companies.

“I’m glad to say that the ZITF has exposed us to good deals and I’m sure it’ll continue to do so. A lot of orders are already coming through and several families are benefiting from this development.

“Members of the project have managed to survive. They feed their families and pay fees for their children through this thriving project. Some have managed to start other income-generating projects as individuals,” said Ndebele.

National University of Science and Technology (Nust) communication and marketing director Felix Moyo said the institution was hoping to attract partners who would convert their research projects into commercial undertakings.

“We hope that the ZITF will assist us to collaborate with partners who will put money into our research projects and produce them as commercial businesses.

“National development is driven by research at universities and we’re exhibiting that at a time when Zimbabwe is hosting a regional conference on industrialisation in Harare,” said Moyo.

The programme co-ordinator for Turning Matabeleland Green Trust, an organisation that promotes farming, George Mlilo said he was confident that more people would be interested in farming to improve the country’s economy.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and as an association we have an obligation to encourage more players in the industry as part of the country’s vision to improve both food security and the economy.

“As farmers visit our stand, we give them advice on the farming activities they should concentrate on for them to get good results. I’m sure that this platform is the best opportunity for us to improve the agricultural sector, especially in Matabeleland region,” said Mlilo.

ZITF Company board chairman Bekithemba Nkomo said the showcase began on a satisfactory note and expressed hope for more momentum starting today.

This year’s trade fair runs under the theme, “Stimulating Trade, Seizing Opportunities to Accelerate Growth”, which dovetails the country’s economic blueprint-the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation.

Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, will officially open the trade fair tomorrow at an event that would be attended by President Mugabe, government officials, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe and exhibitors.

The two presidents are expected to tour the stands before the official opening.

Meanwhile, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will officially open the International Business Conference today.

Today’s programme will feature key ministers such as Patrick Chinamasa (finance) and his industry counterpart Mike Bimha.