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Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, has said the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy, anchored on engagement and re-engagement, has contributed immensely to the success of the 64th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).

The oversubscribed premier trade expo commenced on a high note on Tuesday and ends with the official opening ceremony to be led by Kenyan President, Dr William Ruto today.

This year’s expo is running under the theme: “Innovation: The Catalyst for Industrialisation and Trade” and has attracted a diversity of local and foreign business players, forcing the ZITF Company to turn away 70 potential participants due to shortage of space.

Countries such as the United States of America, China, United Kingdom and the European Union are part of the exhibitors while South Korea and United Arab Emirates are exhibiting at the trade showcase for the first time.

Speaking after a tour of the Zimpapers’ stand, Dr Muswere said President Mnangagwa’s policies have led to the growth of the exhibitions.

“It’s a huge success underpinned by a magnetic investment climate, which has been created under the Second Republic, under the leadership of President ED Mnangagwa,” he said.

“It’s a huge success because of industrial growth, the macro-economic growth that is being registered as we journey towards becoming an upper middle-income society by 2030,” said Dr Muswere.He said the ZITF was fulfilling its mandate as local and international companies have an opportunity to connect and create new markets.

Dr Muswere said the ZITF also affirms the success of the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement strategy.

“There is also an increase in space utilisation and also an increase in terms of trade numbers that have been registered. “Exhibitors have had an opportunity to market their goods and services. There have been so many inquiries from various international and local companies,” said the minister.

“So, this is also part of the re-engagement and engagement strategy whereby we are ensuring that as a country we are a friend to all and an enemy to none. So, you will realise that a number of countries are exhibiting including Western related organisations and we seek to ensure we boost trade in order to achieve favourable balance of trade in our country.”

Dr Muswere said the focus is not just on international exhibits but also on strengthening trade within local companies, adding that the country’s import and export gap is being reduced, which is another milestone that the ZITF is showcasing.

“It’s also a success given that we had a huge trade deficit before which we have closed as a country. You’ll realise that our export strategy has been key and pivotal in terms of boosting trade with other respective countries,” he said.

“The other strategy is that the local productivity strategy has done wonders as we seek to promote brand Zimbabwe. We support the development, the innovation of various goods and services as we strengthen local value chains.”

Dr Muswere also touched on the media reforms that are ongoing saying the Government will continue to consult the industry to come up with a robust strategy that does not leave anyone behind.

He reaffirmed President Mnangagwa’s message that as the country is facing drought, the Government will provide food aid to all vulnerable citizens and no one will die of hunger as the Government has the institutional capacity to provide for all citizens and where necessary imports will be made.

“His Excellency, the President has assured the nation that no one and no place will have hunger and starvation. We also need to emphasise that the Government has put in place structures of domestic mobilisation of resources, domestic mobilisation and mopping up of excess grain,” said the minister.

“What I can assure you is that no one will die of hunger in our country. We have the institutional capacity to be able to provide food domestically and also externally, utilising the private sector and our people,” said Dr Muswere. — @nqotshili