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UPDATES: Simiso Mlevu and Vusumuzi Dube

PHOTOGRAPHY: Wilson Kakurira

EDITOR: Costa Mano

1712: Minister Bimha has presented a token of appreciation to the guest honour. It’s now time for mass displays as the official proceedings have ended here. That concludes our blog, thank you for joining us.

1706: St Columbus won the maiden Scholastica Schools debate competition.

1656: Zimpapers came first in the Printing, Packaging and Publishing category.

1646: Companies which excelled at this year’s exhibition are now receiving certificates and awards.

1638: He has commended the Government of Zimbabwe for the sterling effort in encouraging people to invest in the neighbouring countries.

“In Namibia we are working on building the House of Namibia with the aim of industrialising rapidly under the spirit of Harambe. Allcountries in the world should pull togethers for good of mankind. Under the United Nations charter, all countries have to pull together for he good of mankind.”

President Geingob has declared the ZITF officially opened.

1635: “Transparency plus accountability equals trust. ”

He says there is need to deal with diminishing levels of trusts between governments and people and also businesses and customers. He says Namibia is an attractive investment destination describing her as a gateway to Africa through the Walvis Bay. The country has also been described as a gateway to Southern Africa.

President Geingob says other reasons to invest in Namibia include the relative ease of doing business as per the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business. He adds that there are many reasons why Namibia is a favourable investment destination and has invited Zimbabweans to visit the country to hear more.

“Namibia is making efforts to eradicate barriers in conducting business in that country. Furthermore we have also adopted plans on ease of doing business to make it simple for investors to open businesses in that country.”

1629: He pays tribute to President Mugabe for spearheading the adoption of the industrial trade policy during his tenure as SADC chairman.

“It must be noted that no country will ever be able to address industrialisation on its own. We must therefore embrace regional economic development breaking down barriers within SADC and Africa.

“We need to break barriers to the movement of goods in SADC, we must also remove barriers in the movement of people. In Namibia, we have scrapped Visa for all Africans holding official diplomatic passports. Ordinary visitors get their visas on arrival in the country.”

1624: “The good rains in the entire SADC region are going to improve our economies .I am told Zimbabwe is poised for bumper harvest. Trade between Zimbabwe and Namibian stand at $24 million. This has to change,”

1621: He says President Mugabe personally received him at the airport and spent some time with him at the hotel.

“This is unusual. People usually welcome and dump colleagues. Later that day, President Mugabe held an exquisite banquet.”

1619: “It is a great honour to join you here in the beautiful city of Bulawayo. When I received a letter from the icon, President Mugabe, there was no question as to where I will be in April 2017,”

He thanks Zimbabwe and its people for the warm welcome.

1616: Minister Bimha says Zimbabwe is honour today, to have a great Statesman, Dr Geingob here officially opening the trade extravaganza.He proceeds to invite President Geingob to make his address.

1615: “Today I have the honour and privilege to introduce to you, our special guest who is the President of Namibia, Hage Geingob. In Oshiwambo, Minister Bimha tells Pres Geingob to feel at home. He chronicles the history of Pres Geingob and says he is a trained teacher. He taught at various schools before joining active politics.

“Following the success of 1989 elections which were supervised by United Nations, Dr Geingob was nominated to lead a team of Constitutional makers.He has served as Swapo Chief Whip. In 2008, he was appointed the Minister of Industry and Trade. Among his responsibilities, he was actively involved in the formation of SMEs bank.”

1607:  Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha to the podium.

1606: She thanks President Mugabe who is the ZITF patron for his constant support to the trade showcase.

1605: She also thanks the business community who participated in the international business conference noting that their attitude showed the position attitude they had towards economic revival

1604: She thanks President Geingob for accepting the invitation to officially open the trade show. The ZITF thanks new exhibitors who have made the positive decision to exhibit this year.

1603: Ms Ncube is back on the podium and says she is delighted to welcome guests here, especially the guests from Namibia. Ms Ncube welcomes delegates to the official opening ceremony, giving a special recognition to the Namibian delegation being led by President Hage Geingob. It is motivating that citizens of the two countries continue to attend trade exhibitions organised by either country.Namibia has been constantly exhibiting at the ZITF since 1991.

1553: ZITF chairperson Ms Ruth Ncube now addressing delegates. She starts with salutations  and recognises the presence of various dignitaries. She has invited Bishop Henry Muzhari to give an opening prayer. Bishop Muzhari is from the Family of God Church.

1542: The National Anthem is now being sung.

1534: President Hage Geingob is now inspecting the Guard of Honour.

1525: The two Presidents now entering the Main Arena amid whistles and ululation from the thousands in attendance.

1518: The First Ladies of the two nations have arrived at the main arena we now await the arrival of President Geingob and President Mugabe.

1517: The Zimbabwean and Namibian flags are flying at half mast  in honour of the fallen hero, Zenzo Ntuliki who died at Mater dei Hospital last week.

1503: Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived.

1502: Vice President Phelekezela Report Mphoko has arrived.

1501: Service chiefs are making their way to the main arena. This signals the start of the official proceedings here.

1459: President Geingob will also hand over prizes to various exhibitors who excelled at this year’s fair.

1458: The Guard of Honour is now in position ready for inspection.

1447: People are now gathered at the ZITF main arena awaiting the arrival of Namibian President Hage Geingob to officially open this year’s trade showcase. He will be accompanied by President Mugabe.

1407: The tour of exhibition stands has finished and the two Presidents are now going for a lunch break. Our blog will continue afterwards.

1400: President Mugabe has arrived at Alpha and Omega Dairy exhibition stand.

1336: The two Presidents have also toured the Ministry of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-Political Detainees and Restrictees as well as the the Zanu PF commissariat exhibition stands.

1327: President Mugabe just toured the Zanu PF national youth league stand where he was briefed of the activities being done by the young people. Also present at the youth league stand are youth leaders of the Botswana Democratic Party.

1231: Some of the stands President Mugabe is touring include  ZimTrade, Triple Tee Footwear and Konami Resources Pvt Ltd.

1228: The First Ladies are now being shown around the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) stand.

1219: President Mugabe is now being shown around the GMB stand.

1217: President Mugabe  is now at Turnall exhibition stand. The two Vice Presidents, Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko are also touring with their principal.

1215: The two First Ladies are now touring stands accompanied by Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde Nomthandazo Moyo, Deputy Min of Industry and Commerce Cde Chiratidzo Mabuwa and Bona Chikore.

1209: The briefing is over now and President Mugabe together with the Namibian president are touring the stands.

1150: President Mugabe together with his Namibian counterpart have arrived and are being briefed by ZITF management. The briefing is closed to the media.

1126: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi has arrived at the ZITF office where President Mugabe will have a briefing.

1036: This year’s trade exhibition is being held under the theme, “Harnessing Linkages for Industrial Development.”

1034: Namibian President Hage Geingob has just landed at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport and he is being welcomed by President Mugabe, First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, the two VPs Mnangagwa and Mphoko, Cabinet ministers and senior Government officials.

1030: President Mugabe who arrived in Bulawayo last night has gone to the airport to welcome his Namibian counterpart who is touching down mid-morning.

1026: Ministers, senior Government officials and the general public have converged at Bulawayo airport awaiting the arrival of the Namibian president.

1024: Namibian President, Hage Geingob is today set to officially open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). President Geingob arrived in the country on Wednesday.