The Sunday News
Shepias Dube Business Reporter
MORE than 40 young entrepreneurs drawn from Bulawayo’s six districts participated at an exhibition organised by the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment as part of preparations for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair that will be held from 28 April to 2 May. Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, provincial youth development officer Mr Ofias Dube said the event sought to capacitate youths in business so that they gain enough skills for use during the trade fair.
“The purpose of this show is to sensitise our youths on the importance of participating at an international marketing gala like ZITF. We are also discussing the standard and quality of products expected at the exhibition,” Mr Dube said.
Mr Dube said while his ministry was happy with the products produced by youths it was necessary to capacitate them with business skills so that they continue to grow and reach international standards.
The provincial youth development officer said his ministry had engaged ZITF officials to provide training to young entrepreneurs so that they meet the standards expected.
“We have struck a deal with organisers of ZITF where our youth will be trained on product quality and how to reach out to international markets. This programme is expected to start as early as the first week of April so that those interested will have time to prepare for ZITF,” he said.
He also urged youths to take advantage of the on-going Integrated Skills Outreach Programme (ISOP) offered by the ministry.
The aim of the programme is to capacitate young people with business skills so that they will be able to sustain themselves through productive use of local resources.
This is in line with Government’s economic blue-print Zim Asset which advocates for self-sustenance and employment creation through value addition and beneficiation.
Participants at the workshop expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth for organising the event.
“I am grateful to the organisers of this event for giving me an opportunity to meet with people of my age who are in business. It was indeed an opportunity to exchange ideas and to learn new ways of improving my products,” said Miss Noline Mucheke who was exhibiting art and craft products.
She said she was impressed by the number of people who showed interest in her products and was confident that with the information gained at the show she would do better in marketing her products during the trade fair.
Mr Lovemore Chikoki, who exhibited leather products, said the platform gave young businesspeople a chance to expand their business and work towards competing globally.
“Last year l did well at the ZITF but this year l expect to fare much better thanks to the skills training and advice l have been getting from the ministry,” he said.
However, he appealed to Government to consider re-introducing the now defunct youth fund so that more young businesspeople could access funds to buy necessary equipment for their chosen trade.
