Political Reporter

The US government intends to use the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to strengthen its relations with Zimbabwe.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ZITF in Bulawayo yesterday, the US Embassy Public Affairs Officer in Harare, Meg E Riggs, hailed the 2023 ZITF exhibition, highlighting that generally the environment was good.

Riggs revealed that the US Embassy, among other US individual companies started exhibiting at ZITF in 2022.

 “Since 2022, we received warm welcome and overwhelming support from the ZITF management. We have not encountered any challenges. The ZITF platform is giving us an opportunity to widen the scope of our interaction and exposure to social, economic, and political facets at one place,” said Riggs.

Riggs added that, the US continues to enjoy cordial relations with Zimbabwe on a number of issues of mutual interests.

“We have never stopped engaging with Zimbabwe and because of engagements that is why we are here. In as much as we have areas we disagree with Zimbabwe, we are looking forward to improve our relations,” she said.

Riggs reiterated that the US government has been supporting a number of developmental activities in Zimbabwe.

 “My government is still committed to support Zimbabwe in the fight against the HIV pandemic. The Zimbabwean government is still partnering with the US government and its private players to engage in social development programmes. Our prime targets are the disadvantaged communities and the youths which we aim to promote and improve their livelihoods,” said Riggs.

Meanwhile, the ZITF 2023 exhibition attracted a number of foreign exhibitors, who are showcasing various products ranging from food products agriculture machinery and implements, pharmaceuticals, mining equipment, among others.

Other international partners which recently joined the exhibition platform include the United Kingdom, Belarus and the European Union.