Firms eye growth opportunities at ZITF
BULAWAYO-based companies are optimistic about reaping significant benefits from this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) as they look to broaden their customer base, connect with potential raw material suppliers, and raise awareness of their products to promote import substitution.
In separate interviews at the ongoing ZITF, representatives from various local firms described the country’s premier trade showcase as a vital marketing platform to boost sales and attract export opportunities.
Since the expo commenced on Monday, exhibitors have reported a positive experience and expressed hope that the platform will help distinguish authentic products from counterfeits, thereby guiding consumers and buyers towards genuine goods.
Treger Group Marketing Officer, Mr Mlungisi Ndlovu, said the ZITF had provided valuable consumer feedback, with many visitors sharing insights into their buying habits and preferences.
“We face stiff competition from cheap imports, and the ZITF has brought together both local companies and consumers who’ve told us they’ve been purchasing from abroad — but those products don’t last. This event has given us the opportunity to explore how we can distribute our products in areas where we don’t currently have a presence. We’ve connected with potential distributors from across the country, which will help us expand our market share and strengthen our competitiveness.”
Running under the theme “Industrialisation: Integrated Economic Landscape”, this year’s ZITF has recorded a three percent increase in private sector participation, reinforcing its role as a dependable platform for business deals and strategic partnerships.
Mr Ndlovu called on the Government to accelerate the “Buy Zimbabwe” initiative and consider placing restrictions on selected imported products to support local industry. He also raised concerns about the proliferation of informal corner shops selling poor-quality imports, which undermine consumer confidence and affect the performance of established businesses.
Another local exhibitor, Mr Wellington Mberengwani of United Refineries Limited Group, said the ZITF had provided a valuable opportunity to engage with new consumers and gather feedback to help refine their products.
“We use ZITF for customer engagement, which aligns with our ISO certification that emphasises customer satisfaction. Visitors to our stand point out areas for improvement and voice their concerns, which we take seriously. As a multi-sectoral event attracting both domestic and international visitors and exhibitors, ZITF has also enabled us to connect with distributors interested in extending our product reach,” said Mr Mberengwani.
He added that the company had also met farmers who could become key suppliers of soya beans — an essential raw material in the production of cooking oil.
Feed Master Research and Management Officer, Ms Linda Ndiweni, said as a small business, they had used the ZITF to showcase their innovations, including a potentially transformative project for the poultry sector.
“We hope ZITF will generate new business and attract investors who can help us take our operations to the next level. We’ve already received interest from Botswana, with around 15 tonnes of orders secured — something that wouldn’t have happened without this trade fair. ZITF has placed us on the global map, and we are truly grateful to ZimTrade,” she said.-chroncile
