Gift Mashoko

Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) has registered an increase in the number of exhibitors following the growing investor confidence which the new dispensation is drawing.

Speaking during the post Cabinet Briefing yesterday, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Nqobizitha Mangaliso revealed that there has been an improvement in the number of exhibitors at ZITF this year.

“It’s all systems go, we are ready we have more exhibitors this year compared to last year. As of now we have 502 direct local exhibitors compared to 491 last year. Of these, 18% are first time exhibitors. In terms of Geographical mix, 56% are confirmed local exhibitors from Harare, 25% from Bulawayo, 14% from other towns and 5% foreign. So far we have 16 countries who have registered to participate at this year’s fare,” he said

Minister Mangaliso highlighted the concerns exhibitors have on the exorbitant prices hotels during the ZITF period.

“A concern was discussed in cabinet which has to do with the rates charged by hotels and their system of blocking the clients to say only book for 7 days and you cannot book for a period less than that. There are measures taken to make sure that clients are not taken advantage of. We will be engaging the sector in the next few days,” he said

ZITF 2019 theme is “Propagating Industrial Growth through Trade and Investment,” and runs from the 23rd to the 27th of April 2019, with Business days running from the 23rd to the 25th of April 2019.