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Mrs Ndlovu

Business Reporter
MORE than 400 direct exhibitors have taken up 91 percent of the space available for sale at this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair scheduled for next week.

Bookings are still in progress but so far 412 exhibitors have taken up 46 018 square metres of the space available.

ZITF 2015 will run under the theme “Stimulating Trade,” — a call to local industry to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the premier trade exhibition to fuel business growth.

In terms of local participation, this year, 55 percent of the exhibitors will be coming from Harare, 37 percent are from Bulawayo from last year’s 35 while eight percent will be coming from other cities and towns in Zimbabwe.

Foreign participation is also up, with 32 organisations having confirmed participation to date. Cyprus is the 17th nation to confirm participation through the University of Nicosia which will be exhibiting in the Scholastica exhibition.

The other countries represented at ZITF 2015 are Botswana, the People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Germany, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, United States of America and Zambia.

ZITF Company general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu said ZITF 2015 will run concurrently with sector-specific expos; A’sambeni Africa Business Tourism Expo, Pakprint, Scholastica and Ultim8 Home.

The highlights of the exhibition include; the Incentive Travel Workshop on April 28.

“Organised in partnership with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the aim of the workshop is to demonstrate how incentive travel can be used to boost employee productivity among local corporates. International incentive travel expert, Mr Joost De Meyer (USA) has been invited to share his experiences and knowledge of the field,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

The International Business Conference is scheduled for April 29 and will be held under the theme “Stimulating Exports: Seizing Opportunities to Accelerate Growth under Zim-Asset”.

Close to 400 business delegates are expected to participate in the business networking event which is organised in partnership with NECF and other stakeholders. The programme will discuss how businesses can stimulate exports and leverage them to create opportunities to accelerate economic growth.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will deliver the key note address on “Accelerated Implementation of Zim-Asset through value-addition and beneficiation.”

The Official Opening Ceremony is scheduled for April 30.

“The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr Edgar Lungu is expected to officiate at the event. He will be accompanied by the Patron of ZITF, President Mugabe.

The ZITF Charity Golf Challenge is scheduled for May 1. Registered participants consist of local and international executives from private and public organisations as well as government ministers. The Guest of Honour at this year’s play-offs will be the Minister of Industry and Commerce Mike Bimha.

The beneficiary will be Esandleni Sothando a local Christian outreach initiative providing assistance to vulnerable girls in high density urban areas.

“Running throughout the exhibition from April 28 to May 2 will be the Scholastica presentations and seminars. Industry experts and motivational speakers have been invited to share varied, relevant, and up-to-date information covering a wide cross-section in continuing education, career and job guidance,” said Mrs Ndlovu.