Senior Staff writer

ZimTrade is ready to play its part in the operationalization and implementation of promotion of the local exports at both communal and industrial level, an official within the organisation has revealed.

Speaking during at a workshop in Harare today, Director Operations of ZimTrade, Mr Phillip Phiri said ZimTrade is an association that is meant to assist the industry on the development of the industry and exports.

Mr Phiri said ZimTrade was pushing the national agenda on exports through providing promotional activities through Trade Fairs and training of small traders.

He added that ZimTrade was capacitating a number of agriculture projects by small scale farmers in Manicaland including farmers from Chipinge Macadamia cluster, Ndiyadzo Organic Pineapple project and those from Flower Grower cluster.

He noted that ZimTrade is also responsible for assisting first time exporters in Tripartite Free Trade Area as well as lobbying and advocating the ease of doing export business. Mr Phiri said ZimTrade, which falls under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade assist new exporters on how they become competitive on the international market.

Whilst giving closing remarks, Chairperson of Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development, Felix Mhona said there were many benefits of joining the TFTA which includes improved ease of doing business, unlocking the value of products through value addition which is also in line with vision 2030 of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

He said the launch of the TFTA would bring in 29 African countries together in terms of trade.

The event was attended by Members of Parliament in the portfolio committees of Finance and Foreign Affairs and International Trade, TFTA task force as well as ZimTrade officials.