The Sunday News
THIS year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair will be officially opened on a Thursday instead of Friday which has been the norm in the past, an official said on Friday.
In a statement ZITF Company general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu did not give a reason on the day changes but reiterated that Zambian President Edgar Lungu would officiate at the occasion.
The trade event will run from 28 April to 2 May in Bulawayo under the theme “Stimulating Trade, Seizing Opportunities to Accelerate Growth”.
She said apart from the traditional exhibition, on the first day, the company would play host to an international incentive travel expert from the United States of America Mr Joost de Meyer, who will facilitate a workshop on incentive travel.
“The workshop, organised in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, is open to all ZITF 2015 participants and not just A’sambeni exhibitors. The aim is to educate and create awareness among Zimbabwean corporate executives on incentive travel and how it can be used to increase employee productivity,” she said in a statement.
Mrs Ndlovu added that the annual International Business Conference was set for 29 April.
“Organised in partnership with NECF and other stakeholders, it will run under the theme, ‘Stimulating Exports: Seizing Opportunities to Accelerate Growth under Zim Asset’. The programme seeks to interrogate how stimulating exports will create opportunities to accelerate economic growth. We expect close to 400 business delegates to participate.”
Some of the keynote speakers at the business conference will be Finance Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa and his secretary Mr William Manungo.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa secretary general Mr Sindiso Ngwenya will present a paper titled “Maximising value in human capital through Trade in Services: Lessons and Opportunities for Zimbabwe.”
The ZITF Charity Golf Challenge, she said, would be held on 1 May.
“The beneficiaries of this year’s event are Esandleni Sothando, an “Our Neighbours” Christian initiative which provides assistance to the vulnerable girl child in high density areas while also empowering caregivers to these children. The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon Mike Bimha will be playing together with over 80 business leaders and foreign dignitaries.”
Mrs Ndlovu said throughout the duration of the exhibition (April 28 –May 2), there will be Scholastica presentations and workshops.
“The objective of these seminars is to provide a platform for sharing the most varied, relevant, and up-to-date information covering a wide cross-section in continuing education, career and job guidance. An exciting programme of attention-grabbing speakers and topics has been lined up to achieve this.
“We have invited over local school, colleges and universities to take part in the workshops. Participants will also have an opportunity to visit the Scholastica exhibition where over 35 organisations are exhibiting.”
Mrs Ndlovu said participants were also encouraged to download the ZITF 2015 mobile application which provides information on event programmes and updates.
She said the general public could also expect an exciting entertainment programme spanning over the three public days (30 April – 2 May).
“In addition to the regular favourites such as the armed forces displays, drum majorettes, four-minute-mile and tug-of-war, we have also lined up a number of local artists and dance groups. Guest artists from Japan will also be making a special appearance. These include Iyco & Kakafuraha, Dj Jui, Jenaguru Jr & Grand Tea Masters.”
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair is the largest intra-regional trade fair South of the Sahara.
The exhibition offers exposure to both trade and public visitors and provides the largest, most convenient trade hub in the region.
