By Claver Nyuki
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) marketing and promotional campaign for its 61st edition to be held from 21 to 25 April 2020 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, has officially begun with organizers expecting the event to surpass last year’s episode.
Addressing a press conference in Bulawayo yesterday, ZITF Acting General Manager, Mr Nicholas Ndebele officially revealed that the event which will run under the theme: “Augmenting trade and investment towards a shared economic vision,” is in line with achieving President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2030 middle class economy vision.
“The theme locates ZITF as the ideal platform to profile initiatives and innovations that are integral to setting the economy on a positive growth trajectory as we focus on Zimbabwe’s national vision of achieving an Upper Middle-income status by 2030.
“Key to achieving the economic vision is the need to promote trade and investment in the country with an understanding that accelerated growth can only be achieved by focusing on key business imperatives,” he said.
Mr Ndebele revealed that although the marketing and promotional campaign is in its initiation stage, sale of exhibition space begun in April 2019 after the last edition.
“To date, 171 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation by booking a total of 35 977 square meters of exhibition space. This compares favourably to the booking situation at the same time last year where 127 exhibitors had booked 31 584 sqm,” he revealed.
On the international front, Mr Ndebele exposed that they were engaging in aggressive international exhibitor and visitor drive that complements Government’s investment and international trade vision.
“Ethiopia, Japan, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia have confirmed participation whilst countries such as Belarus, Egypt, EU, DRC, Indonesia, Iran, Netherands, Pakistan, Spain, South Korea, and Russia have expressed keen interest and are still to confirm their booking,” said Mr Ndebele.
Moving to the edition’s itinerary, Mr Ndebele revealed that next year’s edition has reserved three business days from 21 to 23 April 2020 with two days open to the public, 24 and 25 April 2020.
“In terms of the diary, notable events include the ZITF International Business Conference on 22 April, Manufacturer’s conference 23 April, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce will host its annual business luncheon on the same day with the Official Opening slated for the 24th of April,” he said.
The ZITF will run concurrently with the Zimbabwe agricultural show with other industry-specific exhibitors running parallel to the ZITF.
