ZimTrade seeks to capacitate local designers

THE national trade development and promotion organisation ZimTrade has partnered
with local and international-based fashion designers to launch a Clothing Sector Brand
Building Initiative (BBI) programme, which aims to capacitate local players with
knowledge and grow their brands.

A week-long masterclass event which started yesterday in Bulawayo features a
Netherlands-based Zimbabwean — Eglet Mtengwa Nyabvure, a self-made fashion
designer and Pfeka Fashion House founder. Also billed to attend is Chris Vijt, an
international senior fashion expert from a German-based company Senior Experten
Service.

The masterclass seeks to offer a one-year programme, which will see Zimbabwe
increasing its export in clothing brands.

“ZimTrade in partnership with Chris Vijt, owner of brand Baba and an international
senior fashion expert from a German-based company SES (Senior Experten Service),
together with Eglet Mtengwa Nyabvure, a Zimbabwean based in the Netherlands, selfmade fashion designer of brand Pfeka are launching a Clothing Sector Brand Building
Initiative (BBI) on the 11th to the 17th of April in Bulawayo,” reads the letter from
ZimTrade to participants.

“The one-year programme aims to equip aspiring local fashion brands, designers, and
creatives with knowledge, support, and guides on growing their brands to international
standards.

“The programme aims to increase the number of clothing brands from Zimbabwe for
exports.”

ZimTrade is intensifying its aim to grow exports as it is offering capacity-building
programmes to aspiring exporters in different sectors.

Recently, the organisation brought in an expert from PUM to offer some training to
women in Matabeleland North who are into arts and crafts.

The aim is to capacitate players with the knowledge that will help them to produce
quality products, which can be sold internationally. — chronicle