Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) revitalises Bulawayo economy

Judith Phiri, Features Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) which ended in Bulawayo on Saturday last week provided stakeholders with a pedal and a compass on which to chart the way forward as the economy rebounds from the Covid-19 shocks with an increase in local production.

The trade fair was also a platform for the resuscitation of city’s tottering fortunes from where the reality of the Second Republic’s economic vision 2030 can be built. It was also a chance to evaluate the country’s engagement and re-engagement efforts where positives were drawn as countries that last exhibited a number of decades ago showed up.

It confirmed that the five-day event held in the traditional month of April was better, bold and bigger as the economy rose past the mortal stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. For the second time in April after the historic decentralisation of Independence Day celebrations, Bulawayo was a hive of activity as Government officials, captains of industry, foreign exhibitors and locals converged in the city for the country’s premier business showcase.

The 62nd Edition of the business extravaganza was aptly held under the theme, “Rethink, Reimagine, Reinvent Value Chains for Economic Development” and had all the hallmarks of an organised entrepreneurial and entertainment experience. Officially opening the trade showcase, President Mnangagwa noted that the success of the event was evidence that the country’s economy was now on the rebound.

“There are several issues that we need to recognise, first this is the biggest exhibition that ZITF has achieved since its creation. This is a result of the policy of the Second Republic for engagement and re-engagement. After 20 years we have countries like Britain coming back to exhibit here,” said President Mnangagwa while touring ZITF stands.

“I have also been advised by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr Nzenza that Zimbabwe is now producing more than 75 percent of products that are found on our shelves in the supermarkets. Most of these people are our own people and they come here in order to exhibit their products and do the networking among themselves which is critically important.”

Bulawayo Mayor Clr Solomon Mguni said the ZITF was a platform for the city to attract more investment and reap low hanging fruits.

“The theme embodies the direction that Zimbabwe and the rest of the world are taking as we slowly come out of the pandemic. It is a reminder that innovation is an essential driver of economic progress and survival. The importance of technology and innovation has been noted as very key in the new normal and this has called on us to rethink, reimagine and reinvent how we manage our processes. We note that the use of technology based on use of ICT for economic growth, urban planning, and public health improvement among others, will help Bulawayo achieve a smart city status.

He said the City of Bulawayo sought to implement and achieve the status in recognition of the importance of the sustainable development goals and the National Development Strategy 1.

“We note that we also have to promote sustainability, and also contribute to the Paris Agreement signed in 2015. Our role will be to work with the various industries in Bulawayo in ensuring that we participate in the Race to Zero where we not only improve our value chains in economic growth but improve our value chains in managing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Clr Mguni.

Bulawayo Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and informal businesses also pinned their hopes on the trade showcase to grow their businesses.

“The ZITF was a way of advertising ourselves so that we can get more customers for the growth of our businesses. We were eyeing investors or potential partners for our businesses that can assist us with capital and upgrading our machinery so that we boost our production,” said Mr Madodana Mpofu, chairman of SMEs at a complex in Bulawayo.

Another SMEs in the clothing sector owner, Ms Sibongile Mwale said ZITF was a platform to market their products to a wider and diverse populace. She said networking and engagement opportunities at the trade showcase allowed them to broaden their clientele base.

Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs vice-chairperson, Ms Sithabile Bhebhe said for the next ZITF in 2023 they were going to ensure that more SMEs got more exhibition space. Bulawayo-based water management services company which was also a first-time exhibitor, EcoVision Chief Executive Officer and managing director, Ms Cleopatra Ashley Ngwenya said they were pleased about exhibiting and the ZITF opened a world of unprecedented opportunities that they could have not known had they not exhibited.

They were also awarded second place award in the Mining and Engineering Category. Minister Dr Nzenza applauded most of the exhibitors with the likes of Bata Millennium Footwear where a number of locally made quality products were on display.

“I would like to outline that the quality of the exhibition and products displayed were unprecedented in Zimbabwe. There was a high movement of value chains as shown by the quality of local products on display.”

She commended the business community for taking heed to President Mnangagwa’s call for private sector-led growth.

Bulawayo Leather Cluster marketing officer, Mr Joseph Mukondo, said leather producers came together as former workers of the once big leather firms in the city to form the cluster.

“Through financial support from Comesa we bought equipment and we now have a factory. Comesa also assisted us by arranging training workshops and having us exhibit in Botswana and Zambia. We now supply major retail outlets in Bulawayo with various products and we also do exports. At ZITF we have made contact with several potential buyers and for us it’s an indication that the leather sector is recovering.”

This year’s edition of the ZITF attracted over 542 exhibitors (420 direct exhibitors and 162 indirect exhibitors), of which 71 are first timers. Total of 14 foreign countries — Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Belarus, Britain, Indonesia and Japan were represented.

Foreign exhibitors said this year’s edition ignited optimism among potential investors who were looking forward to exploring more business opportunities in the country in line with Second Republic’s “Zimbabwe is open for business” policy.

Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga challenged the private sector to join hands with Government on the development and domestication of value chains. While, also addressing delegates during the inaugural Connect Africa Symposium he called on the continent to build a united and prosperous economic superpower, through utilising its abundant natural resources.

“The meeting gives us an opportunity to work on developing the African continent. Over the last few decades, we have been making trajectory towards making our beloved continent a united and prosperous economic superpower. Africa remains a very rich continent with unlimited potential yet to be explored and harnessed for the benefit of all people.”

VP Chiwenga said with the African leaders speaking with one voice they can ensure that the continent’s economic growth was in line with the AU 2063 Agenda.

ZITF chairman, Mr Busisa Moyo said approximately 200 delegates representing 30 countries participated in the second edition of the ZITF Diplomats Forum. He said a total of 45 786 square metres was taken up representing 93 percent of the available space.

On local participation, 63 percent of the exhibitors came from Harare while 23 percent were from Bulawayo and 14 percent from other cities. Mr Moyo said with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce they were going to work on increasing the exhibition space, not just by size but also quality and what they are offering to the international community, which should be of international standards.

For the first time in three years, this year’s event also witnessed huge numbers of the general public on Friday and Saturday. Some of those who graced the show said the event has always been a major provider of family entertainment for Bulawayo.