Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

Hundreds of exhibitors are geared up to showcase their products and commodities at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which runs from 23 to 27 April in Bulawayo.

The 64^th edition will run under the theme: “Innovation, the Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade”.  The Minister of Industry and Commerce Nqobizitha Ndlovu told the media that this year’s edition has seen exhibitors occupying 100% of exhibition space.

“We are quite excited again because this year we have recorded yet another increase in terms of the number of exhibitions. We are talking about 100 percent occupation space and we had to put a tent outside to accommodate those who couldn’t get space indoors.”

“In terms of the direct number of exhibitors, this year we have 624, an increase from last year’s 565. Again, when we look at the number of foreign countries exhibiting, we have 26 from 21 last year, and one country may have well over five exhibiting companies.

“We are quite optimistic that the figures will continue to increase. This year, we have 136 first-time exhibitors compared to 103 last year. We are excited about the upward trend in most of the areas that we are assessing,” he said.

He revealed that foreign countries are expected to bring 123 exhibitors which is an increase from last year where only 70 exhibitors came.

“Countries that were not here last year include Brazil, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Indonesia, North Korea, Namibia and Romania. Following His Majesty King Mswati’s visit last year, we are seeing exhibitors from his country participating at the ZITF.

“We are ready and geared up to host the ZITF which will be a success. It is interesting to interact with exhibitors and open opportunities for trade and investment. As more countries come, they also create an opportunity to open new lines of trade and business,” he said.

ZITF will be officially jointly opened on Friday by President Emmerson Mnangagwa together with his Kenyan counterpart, President, William Ruto who will be the guest of honour.