Ngonidzashe Chiutsi
Business Correspondent
THE organisers of this year’s Mine Entra have expressed satisfaction with the show after a record number of 272 exhibitors participated during the exhibition that was held last week in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) company chairman Mr Bekithemba Nkomo said the show had surpassed previous targets, an indication that it was growing.
“The 17th edition of Mine Entra was successful in many respects. The total area occupied was higher than in the recent past. The quality of stands and exhibits was of high standard,” he said before revealing that a total of 6 648 square metres was occupied, up from 6 104 square metres occupied last year.
The last year exhibit attracted about 253 exhibitors, with South Africa contributing the largest number.
Mr Nkomo said that products and services on display were relevant to the mining, engineering and transport sectors and were coming from industrialised countries such as America and United Kingdom.
He said exhibitors expressed satisfation with the amount of business transacted. “Moving around during the exhibition, exhibitors and visitors expressed satisfaction with the amount of business generated during the show,” said Mr Nkomo during a press conference.
The ZITF chairman said next year they would ensure that small-scale miners get more involved in the exhibition.
Meanwhile, Mr Nkomo said the Good Health and Good Living Expo exhibition has been slated for September this year and bookings had already started.
The objective of the exhibition is to provide a platform for individuals, companies and specialists in health, fitness and lifestyle related fields to showcase and sell their products, services and accessories to the general public. Products that are expected to be on sale include exercise and training equipment, health products among others. The Good Health, Good Living Expo brings to six the number of sector-sector exhibitions that are run by the ZITF company very year. Other sector-specific exhibitions are Mine Entra, A’ Sambeni Africa Tourism and Travel, Pakprint, Scholastica and Ultimate Home (Ultimate8 Home).