Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE just-ended 27th edition of the country’s premier Mining Engineering and Transport Expo (Mine Entra) has been praised for not just being bigger and better, but also as a resounding success.
The three-day prestigious mining showcase kicked off on a high note last Wednesday and curtains came down on Friday at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) in Bulawayo, running under the theme: “Unearthing Success: The Mining Value Chains, Innovation and Industrialisation Nexus.”
Despite the shift in its traditional calendar placement and the relatively short preparation time, it attracted 289 exhibitors comprising 241 direct exhibitors and 48 indirect exhibitors.
The number represents a 41 percent increase from last year where 204 exhibitors took part. A total of 23 percent of the total exhibitors were participating for the first time.
The geographic spread of the exhibitor pool saw 60 percent coming from Harare, 26 percent from Bulawayo, six percent from other parts of the country and eight percent were foreign.
International participation went up by 91 percent. A total of 23 foreign exhibitors took part this year (19 direct and four indirect exhibitors); representing four foreign countries namely China, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Attendance by business visitors was also good with 2 536 having gone through by 10am on Friday. The participants came from Zimbabwe and 16 countries namely Botswana, China, Congo, Ghana, India, Iran, Japan, Malawi, Namibia, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.
In a Press Conference to mark the end of the exhibition on Friday, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company chairman, Mr Busisa Moyo said this year’s event provided a unique platform for a multi-stakeholder interface on thematic areas such as promoting value chain development in mining, advancing innovation and use of technology in mining, spurring industrialisation, and the adoption and practice of sustainable business practices.
“Data collection and analysis of the event satisfaction surveys is still ongoing. However, preliminary indications are that participants are happy with the level of participation and interaction at this year’s event.
“In particular, exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the volume of traffic to their stands, the profile and calibre of attendees and consequently the depth of interactions. Attendees, on the other hand, were impressed by the multiplicity and variety of products on display as well as the quality displays put up,” said Mr Moyo.
He said as organisers, they were elated with the feedback as they desired that the interactions and connections made in the three days would create opportunities for business deals, joint ventures, partnerships, and foreign direct investment, which are essential for expanding mining operations and increasing export capabilities.
The line-up this year included the Buyer’s Programme held on Wednesday and Thursday, the Mining Industry Suppliers Forum was hosted on Wednesday by the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, while the Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining Associations held their inaugural conference which was attended by over 120 delegates.
On Thursday the Mine Entra Conference and the official opening were attended by 412 delegates from a diverse range of sectors, reflecting the conference’s broad scope and importance to the industry.
On Friday, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) held its Small Scale and Artisanal Miners Conference which was attended by over 200 delegates including small-scale and artisanal miners, industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders.