Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to officially open the ZimTrade Annual Export Week in Bulawayo this coming Thursday, marking a significant step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to boost export growth and strengthen trade ties with international markets.

 The event, which kicked off on a high note, has already seen a number of regional and international buyers engaging with local companies ahead of the highly anticipated Buyers Seminar.

The ZimTrade Export Week is part of the national trade development agency’s ongoing strategy to create strong linkages between Zimbabwean exporters and leading buyers from across the globe.

This year’s event comes as Zimbabwe ramps up its drive to increase export earnings as part of the nation’s broader goal to achieve an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

Local companies have embraced the improved ease of doing business environment, fostered under the leadership of the Second Republic, and have responded by increasing production and adopting innovative technologies to meet global standards.

President Mnangagwa’s administration has been instrumental in creating the business climate necessary for this growth, and the Export Week aims to capitalize on these gains.

International buyers attending the event hail from key markets, such as the United Kingdom, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia.

They are already conducting site visits to local manufacturers to gain a better understanding of Zimbabwe’s industrial capacity.

 These visits, along with business-to-business meetings, are expected to result in new export contracts, business partnerships, and deeper collaborations across multiple sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, leather, construction, and engineering.

The Buyers Seminar, scheduled for tomorrow, will bring together buyers and suppliers for sector-specific engagements, designed to deliver tangible outcomes that align with Zimbabwe’s export diversification strategy.

ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer Allan Majuru emphasized the importance of these pre-event interactions, noting that they are vital for driving the country’s export targets.

“These engagements are not just about short-term gains; they are part of a larger strategy to build long-term trade relationships that will strengthen our export base. As we connect international buyers with local producers, we are positioning Zimbabwean companies to access a wider range of markets. This aligns with the Government’s target of diversifying both export destinations and the products that we offer to the global market,” Majuru said.

Majuru also highlighted the significance of expanding Zimbabwe’s product range to meet international demand.

“Our focus is on increasing the volume of exports and ensuring that the products we export are in line with global market requirements,” he said. “These linkages allow buyers to provide valuable feedback on what their markets need, which helps local companies improve their product offerings and competitiveness,” added Majuru.

Running under the theme "Qala, Tanga, Start", ZimTrade Export Week provides a critical platform to address key issues impacting Zimbabwe’s export growth, including trade policy, export facilitation, and capacity building for exporters.

 As the country intensifies its efforts to increase its footprint in global markets, the conference will offer a roadmap for Zimbabweans to further develop the export sector.