The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo Senior Business Reporter
COMPANIES exhibiting at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair have expressed hope and optimism that the event will afford them the opportunity to attract new markets to further enhance their businesses. A number of company executives interviewed by Sunday Business said they were optimistic that the exhibition would present a perfect platform to showcase their products to a wider market both locally and internationally and consequently clinch lucrative deals.
Hwange Colliery Company Limited managing director Mr Thomas Makore said ZITF remained one of the flagship events which enabled industry to meet various stakeholders and share latest information about markets and the industry as a whole.
He said HCCL’s would continue to exhibit at the ZITF as part of its efforts to raise its brand and image profile.
“As a listed company, brand equity is a key part of our profile as it represents the company’s core values including safety, customer focus, quality, reliability, track record, and local and regional foot print, to name a few.
“Over the years, we met new customers for our products and potential suppliers of plant and equipment. We are also able to get a snapshot about what is happening in the broader market such as competition and the regulatory environment,” Mr Makore said.
He said apart from the straight business objectives, HCCL’s participation at the ZITF allowed the public and young people in particular to interact with the company and therefore develop career prospects.
“We are taking delivery of new open cast mining equipment as part of our turnaround plan, therefore we will explore opportunities for new customers and solutions to improve our productivity,” Mr Makore said.
Leaford Electric Rewind technical manager Mr Orphan Bhiza said the company had witnessed tremendous growth since their inaugural exhibition at the ZITF five years ago.
“Ever since we participated at the ZITF we have managed to grow as a business through attracting new clients both local and from countries in Southern Africa such as Zambia and Malawi where we are even contemplating setting up branches.
“We also stand as one of the few companies that has officially grown from being a Small to Medium Enterprise to a fully established business entity boasting an electrical department and an engineering division, which we brought into the fold three years ago,” Mr Bhiza said.
The company manufactures transformers and welding machines as well as repairing electric motors and generators while its engineering division is involved in metal fabrication, boiler making, fitting and turning and electrical contracting (which includes both installation and maintenance) as well as doing on-site electric motor services.
ABC Firetech Fire Engineers general manager Mr Lovemore Ndebele said ZITF always presented the company with an opportunity to boost its market base.
“We take ZITF seriously that’s why we even have a pavilion there. It’s one of the platforms that have catapulted us to improve and enhance our business. Through our participation here we even managed to partner with an international company.
“It also gives us the opportunity to show people our wide range of fire-fighting equipment and products that meet international standards of course which always gives us an edge over our competitors,” Mr Ndebele said.
More than 400 exhibitors are expected to take part during this year’s event. Zambian President Edgar Lungu will officially open the trade fair on Thursday.
