The China-Zimbabwe Exchange Centre will host a China zero-tariff policy workshop on April 30 at the Celebration Centre in Harare.
The limited-access event is expected to draw about 300 stakeholders and traders seeking to tap into duty-free access to the Chinese market.
Speaking at a press briefing, managing director Walter Chanaka said the initiative is aimed at unlocking preferential access for Zimbabwean exports under China’s zero-tariff framework.
“Under this policy, China has eliminated tariffs on thousands of export items from African countries, including Zimbabwe,” he said.
“This opens the Chinese market to Zimbabwean agricultural products, minerals, manufactured goods and other approved commodities.”
Chanaka described the policy as a strategic opportunity for local businesses to penetrate the world’s second-largest economy.
“This is not just a policy—it is an open door,” he said.-newsday
Saloncare’s Amanda Harrod pushes inclusive, scalable beauty solutions for Zimbabwe
South African cosmetology specialist Amanda Harrod used the recent Skin Care and Wellness Conference to outline a pragmatic vision for Africa’s beauty industry—anchored on inclusivity, education and commercially viable salon models.
Harrod, CEO of Saloncare, said a persistent weakness in the sector is the failure by many therapists to integrate treatment services with in-house retail, limiting revenue potential.
“Therapists often overlook how retail can complement services and strengthen margins. That gap informed my message,” she said in an interview with NewsDay Life & Style.
With more than 20 years in the industry, Harrod has built Saloncare around what she describes as functional essentials: safety, affordability, consistent quality and results-driven formulations.
Built for diverse markets
She stressed that inclusivity is engineered into product development, not used as a marketing label.
“Our testing spans different skin types, climates, age groups and genders. Products must perform in real-world conditions,” Harrod said.
That approach has enabled the brand to scale across markets by aligning product design with the operational realities of salons, educators and end users.
A key differentiator is Saloncare’s bulk product range, introduced in 2019 to address cost pressures in high-volume salons and training institutions.
“Smaller units erode margins. Bulk sizing supports a model where service delivery and retail reinforce each other,” she said.
Harrod also emphasised industry education as a growth lever, arguing that misinformation undermines client outcomes and business credibility.
“Accurate knowledge builds trust and improves results. That’s non-negotiable,” she said.
Resilience and rebuild
Her leadership of Saloncare has included rebuilding the business after losing core assets in a partnership split—an experience she says sharpened her focus on sustainability and relationships.
“Long-term success is about resilience, humility and trust. Financial discipline matters, but people drive growth,” she said.
Harrod sees the sector moving beyond cosmetic outcomes toward deeper investment in skills development and client understanding.
“The future is education-led. The next generation of practitioners will define standards,” she said.
Saloncare is now targeting expansion into Zimbabwe through distribution partnerships initiated at the conference, with access expected via local training institutions such as the Elite School of Beauty in Harare.
Harrod said the strategy is to localise supply while maintaining product integrity and professional training support.-newsday
