Christine Lethokuhle Mabhena in Bulawayo
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2019 has rolled into action at the country’s second largest city of Bulawayo, with the majority of exhibitors already here for this year’s 60th edition of the trade showcase.
Speaking at the Chairperson’s ZITF 2019 final preparations media briefing, the ZITF chair, Ms Ruth B Ncube said, “With a few hours to go before the 60th edition of the ZITF, its now systems go at the exhibition centre.
“The majority of our exhibitors arrived over the long holiday period and are now putting final touches to their stands.”
The 2019 theme is “propagating industrial growth through trade and investment” and the five day showcase beginning tomorrow will feature a packed programme of events aimed at engaging through dialogue, emerging business trends, opportunities and challenges facing business and the interventions required to enhance economic performance.
Major highlights of the first three days, which are solely for business to business trading period are the ZITF 2019 International Business Conference scheduled for the 24th of April, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI)/ ZITF Buyer Seller platform to be held on Thursday, Zimbabwe- Belarus Business Forum, ZITF 2019 Charity Golf Challenge, Innovators’ Forum, the Minister’s Reception and the Celebration of ZITF @60 on Thursday evening.
Ms Ncube revealed at the ZITF@60 cocktail that the celebrations will honour organisations and personalities that have been part of the ZITF over the 60 years.
President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni accompanied by ZITF patron, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to officially open the trade exhibition on Friday when the showcase finally opens to the general public.
Figures gleaned to by Harare Post indicate that 16 countries are participating at this year’s edition while 17 participated last year. These include Nigeria, Namibia, Mauritius, Botswana, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Belarus, Germany, United States of America and United Arab Emirates.
The countries occupying the biggest exhibition space are the US and Belarus with each covering 36 square metres.
