ZITF: The only place to be this week

IF you are in business and you are not in Bulawayo this week, wherever you are, you are
in a wrong place!

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), one of Africa’s premier trade showcases,
kicks off tomorrow at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC).

Many start-ups have successfully launched at the fair while countless others have
remained afloat due to connections and networks forged at ZITF.

This year’s edition is being held under the theme, “Transformative Innovation, Global
Competitiveness” and ends on Saturday.

King Mswati III of Eswatini is expected to officially open the 63rd edition of the event at
the ZIEC Main Arena on Friday.

The ZITF is one of the largest intra-regional trade fairs south of the Sahara. It is an
annual exhibition which offers exposure to both trade and public visitors, the multisectorial, multi-national expo provides a convenient trade hub for the region.

Its location in Bulawayo, the centre of Southern Africa, is at the crossroads of the
regional trade and transportation routes.

During ZITF, the city witnesses a hive of activity as Government officials, diplomats,
international buyers, nationwide exhibitors and captains of industry, among others,
converge for the showcase where business dreams are brought to reality.

Various companies, Government ministries, embassies, the military, the police and
prison services are some of the exhibitors that are working on final touches at their
stands to be ready for the showcase.

Chronicle yesterday witnessed a hive of activity that was a sign of the paradise of
opportunity to come.

The sounds of grinding machines, hammers and nail guns reverberate in all the halls,
while painting is being done on some of the exhibitors’ stands.

Some of the international stands that were near completion include that of the European
Union which is exhibiting as a bloc for the first time, the United States of America which
is making a return and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Telecommunications giants, Econet, NetOne and Liquid are also part of the jamboree
with high tech equipment being set up as they have taken up significant space in Hall 4.
Local firms such as Allied Timbers, Macdonald Bricks, ZimTrade, Zimbabwe Tourism
Authority and the Airport Company of Zimbabwe are part of the over 500 exhibitors.

Regionally the Zambia Development Agency and the Limpopo Economic Development
Agency were some of the exhibitors observed.

In education, a host of universities and colleges such as the National University of
Science and Technology (Nust), Midlands State University (MSU), Zimbabwe Defence
College and Bindura University of Science Education had stands that were being laid by
workers.

Financial institutions such as ZB, FBC, Cabs and AFC Holdings will also be part of the
annual showcase.

There was a sight to behold at the Bulawayo Agricultural Show area where the
magnificent Red and Grey Brahman and Sentinel cattle relaxed in bovine splendour in
pens ready for competition this week.

From the look of things, exhibitors are trying to go in line with the theme, as the stands
show that they want to be as innovative as possible so that they get a foothold in the
global sphere of commerce.

In the lead-up to the exhibition, captains of industry said they look forward to expanding
their networks and establishing new export markets.

The focus on new export markets dovetails with the part of the theme, global
competitiveness.

Added to that, the country under its successful economic blueprint, National
Development Strategy 1 (NDS-1) which, among other measures, seeks to develop an
export-led economy, is fuelling massive business growth.

To buttress the business aspect of the exhibition, the ZITF Company has lined up an
array of high-profile business conferences at this year’s edition that seek to unlock the
country’s economic growth opportunities.

Over the years, ZITF has been shifting focus to national branding and economic
diplomacy over and above hosting high-level conferences during the exhibition as it
positions itself to be a leading platform in facilitating investment.

The trade showcase has been introducing high-level business conferences that attract
top business executives on the African continent and beyond.

Topping the roster is the long-running international business conference hosted in
conjunction with the National Economic Consultative Forum which has become a
flagship platform. Vice-President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga will deliver the keynote
address.

Key highlights of the forum include Globalisation: Celebrating Zimbabwe’s Success and
Unlocking Economic Growth, Opportunities, exploring capital markets as a Source of
Investment Resources for Industrialisation and Zimbabwe’s Trade Climate: Overview and
Sector-Specific Export Strategies to Enhance Competitiveness.

The Business Leaders Roundtable’s thrust would be on Leveraging Zimbabwe’s
Competitive Advantages for Global Market Participation.

A panel discussion is expected to focus on Economic Dominance: A Product of
Transformative Innovation.

Over 600 delegates are expected to attend the conference with a powerful speaker lineup consisting of government, academia, and development as well as private and public
sector representatives.

Confirmed speakers include representatives from the European Union, Ministry of
Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science
and Technology, African Development Bank (AfDB), Zimbabwe Development Agency
(ZIDA), ZimTrade, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Zimbabwe National
Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Scientific and Industrial Research and Development
Centre (SIRDC), among other private sector players.

Zimbabwe Newspapers 1980 Limited (Zimpapers), the country’s largest integrated media
company is hosting a Tourism and Hospitality Industry Meet Tertiary conference today
under the theme “Rethinking the future, tackling the skills gap.”

The conference will be headlined by Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and
Technology Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, Environment, Climate and Tourism and
Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, Zimbabwe Tourism
Authority (ZTA) chief executive officer, Ms Winnie Muchanyuka and the president of
Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Mr Farai Chimba.

Another engagement in its second edition is the Connect Africa Symposium set for
Thursday held under the theme
“Unlocking Africa’s Potential: Innovation, Competitiveness and Sustainable
Development.”

The symposium, which is expected to be attended by over 300 delegates from across the
region, will also be headlined by VP Chiwenga.

According to the programme, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretary
general, Mr Wamkele Mene, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe
economic advisor, Mr Ojijo Odhiambo, representatives from the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce are due to
attend.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Ambassador Frederick Shava, Industry
and Commerce Minister, Dr Sekai Nzenza and Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and
Rural Resettlement Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka who is the Zimbabwe Convenor for
NEPAD are also listed at key speakers.

The ZITF Diplomat’s Forum organised in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade will run under the theme “Crafting a Global Landscape of
Resilience and Innovation: Strategies for International Competitiveness.”

Over 200 members of the diplomatic corps, development body representatives as well as
business leaders are expected to be in attendance.

Another gathering is the ZNCC Business Luncheon – a platform for business leaders to
engage policymakers on the cooperation modalities necessary for a free flow of business
in the region and endeavour to lay down a sustainable path towards economic growth.-chronicle