The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
THIS year’s 24th edition of the Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) expo to be held next month promises to attract more exhibitors compared to the previous showcase, a sign of growing business confidence in the country’s mining sector.
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company public relations and marketing manager Ms Stella Nkomo said the marketing and promotion campaign of Zimbabwe’s largest gathering of influential mining stakeholders, Mine Entra, has begun in earnest.
The ZITF Company is the organisers of the annual exhibition, which will run from 17 to 19 July under the theme, “Resourcing the Future: Exploring and Leveraging Mining Potential.”
“To date, 176 exhibitors have confirmed participation by taking up 5 035 square metres of exhibition space. That compares favourably with the booking situation at the same time last year where 108 exhibitors had taken up 3 911 square metres of exhibition space,” said Ms Nkomo.
The exhibitors includes those from China, Kenya and South Africa who will be exhibiting mining equipment, machinery and spares, earth-moving equipment, automation and filtration equipment, grinding equipment, tyres as well as ICT software and equipment for mining in the fourth industrial revolution.
Ms Nkomo said enquiries and bookings continue to come on a daily basis and expressed confidence that the exhibition would be a well-represented show, reflecting the pivotal role that the extractive sector plays in Zimbabwe’s economic fortunes.
“Companies supplying exploration, extraction, processing or beneficiation machinery and training requirements for the mining sector, as well as suppliers of equipment and machinery relating to the engineering and transport of mining resources are therefore invited to take part. The focus of the show will be on determining how the relevant sector can support and ensure that mining yield is restored to peak levels through crafting and implementation of sustainable and profitable mineral exploration initiatives and policies,” she said.
The showcase would be characterised by a number of knowledge-sharing platforms and focused dialogues catering for the different segments within the mining value-chain.
“The forums are aimed at prompting discussions on harnessing the country’s mining potential, identifying and kick-starting the catalytic actions necessary for progress on sustainable exploration, mining, processing, marketing and management of mineral resources for the benefit of all Zimbabweans,” said Ms Nkomo.
Events that have been lined-up during the exhibition include the Women in Mining Conference and the Young Professionals Forum, which would be held on 17 July, Mine Entra Conference, which will take place on 18 July as well as the Artisanal and Small-scale Miners Conference on 19 July.
“Participants at Mine Entra 2019 will also have the opportunity to attend numerous social functions throughout the event, including cocktail receptions and the Mine Entra Charity Golf Tournament, all designed to create an environment conducive to business development,” said Ms Nkomo.
Online business visitor registration has been opened and the Mine Entra mobile app is also ready for download to enable businesspeople attending the event to plan their participation well.
@DNsingo
