The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company has expressed satisfaction with the growing interest by foreign companies to participate at this year’s edition of the premier trade showcase.
The annual exhibition is in its 57th edition and will be held from 26 to 30 April under the theme: “Innovate, Integrate, Industrialise”.
ZITF Company general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu said preparations for the showcase were at an advanced stage with about 78 percent of the exhibition space having been sold as of Friday, one percent more than the space that had been taken at the same time last year.
“To date market response has been encouraging with approximately 78 percent of the space available for sale having been taken up which compares favourably with the booking situation at the same time last year of 77 percent. Interest from international participants is encouraging as enquiries have come from as far afield as Europe and Asia.
Countries that have, thus far, confirmed participation include Cyprus, Germany, Japan, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa and Zambia,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
Japan, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa and Zambia would be having national stands while Cyprus and Germany would be represented by individual companies. Mrs Ndlovu also said the marketing and advertising campaign for the expo was in full swing, with the company employing a wide array of promotional tools.
Apart from advertising on the local print and electronic media as well as embarking on digital media campaigns, the company was also flighting advertisements on DStv news channels (CNN, BBC and Sky News) in an effort to boost foreign participation.
“In addition, our network of international sales agents also continues to work with us to attract participants from both traditional and new markets. We hope that this coupled with the work of our externally based trade promotion officers will yield positive results,” she said.
This year, the ZITF Company in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries is working on an Organised Buyer Programme as part of the its ongoing efforts to ensure that the exhibition delivers value for participants.
“The initiative is a way of investing in the brand to ensure that it maintains its competitive edge, providing the optimal business platform for exhibitors and buyers alike. Targeted buyers under this programme are from the following countries: Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Botswana.
“In terms of profile, the list includes representatives from businesses seeking new sources of raw materials, goods and services, potential investors and financiers, distributors and other supply chain players such as independent wholesale and retail chains,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
She said the company was encouraging past and potential exhibitors to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Zimbabwe’s premier platform for business exchange by booking their stands early. This, she said, will give them adequate preparation time as well as allow them to take advantage of the early bird discounts.
“In addition, business visitor registration is now open via our website www.zitf.net. Once registered participants can start organising their show itineraries and scheduling their meetings ahead of time to ensure that they make the most of their time on the exhibition floor.
“We are also calling upon the Bulawayo business community to view the trade showcase as a platform for opportunities in both the short and long term. Trade exhibitions such as our annual ZITF provide a unique vantage to engage the greater local and international community by positioning Bulawayo as a viable business destination,” Mrs Ndlovu said.
The ZITF Company general manager took a swipe at service providers such as stand designers, transport providers as well as hotels and lodges that have developed a tendency of charging exorbitant rates over the years citing that the trend impacted negatively in ensuring successful hosting of the exhibition.
