VICE President Emmerson Mnangagwa will this year deliver the keynote address at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair’s (ZITF) International Business Conference (IBC).
VP Mnangagwa’s address will focus on: Accelerating the implementation of ZimAsset through value addition and beneficiation.
The business conference which is expected by delegates from different sectors will be held on April 29.
The international trade showcase runs from April 28 to May 2. The fair will be officially opened by Zambian President Edgar Lungu.
“This business conference is organised in partnership with National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) and other stakeholders. The theme for this year’s IBC is “Stimulating exports: Seizing opportunities to accelerate growth under ZIM-ASSET”. The programme will discuss how businesses can stimulate exports and leverage them to create opportunities to accelerate economic growth,” said ZITF General Manager, Nomathemba Ndlovu.
“412 direct exhibitors have reserved space so far at ZITF and we are still receiving bookings. This figure compares favourable with last year’s closing total of 396. These exhibitors have taken up 46 018 square metres, which represents 91% of the space available for sale. In terms of local participation, this year 55% of our exhibitors will be coming from Harare (last year it was 57%), 37% are from Bulawayo (last year it was 35%) while 8% are coming from other cities and towns (same as last year).
Foreign participation is up with 32 organisations having confirmed,” She added.
A total of 17 foreign countries will participate at this year’s edition, with Cyprus being the latest to confirm.
“Cyprus is the 17th nation to confirm participation through the University of Nicosia, which will be exhibiting in the Scholastica exhibition. Other countries are Botswana, China, India, Iran, Japan. Germany., Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, US and Zambia,” she said.
Meanwhile, the organisers have expressed satisfaction that most of the visiting delegates have managed to secure accommodation in the city.
“We are pleased to note that all our stakeholders have indicated that they have secured accommodation for their stay in Bulawayo while some operators have indicated that they still have available accommodation,” said Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Stella Nkomo.
Nkomo urged private home owners wishing to take advantage of this busy period to register with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
“As ZITF, we would like to thank all the hotels and lodges for their part in ensuring the success of ZITF. We are also aware that some private home owners have been hospitable enough to open up their homes to the expected out-of-town exhibitors and visitors.
“We would like to urge such private homeowners to register with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority regional office so as to ensure that we maintain the expected international standards of all our domestic and foreign business visitors,” said Nkomo.
