ZITF short of quality exhibitors
Posted by Own staff Sunday, 28 March 2010 11:39
The ZIMBABWE International Trade Fair is still struggling to attract quality exhibitors for this year’s edition as it is slowly becoming an entertainment zone.Over the last decade Zimbabwe’s premier business exhibition has lost its glamour as international exhibitors mainly from Europe have been shunning the exhibition due to the political situation.
Local traditional exhibitors have also scaled down their participation as little business was generated. Responding to questions from journalists on Thursday, ZITF Chairman Bekithemba Nkomo, though admitting that there has been a marked drop in quality of exhibitors, said they were working on turning around the exhibition.
“The economy has not been favourable but we are working towards turning the exhibition into a premier trade platform in the region.”Nkomo said the Trade Fair was still relevant.
“I believe that the Trade Fair is still relevant and it will soon turn into a premier trade fair in the region,” said Nkomo.
“In addition to this, the company is planning for the match making programme. In terms of this programme, local companies will be matched with foreign companies in similar or related industries. These business meetings will take place throughout the period of the fair,” said Nkomo.
Instead of major deals being clinched, the main attraction had been police stands and police band playing music at various points, Ingwebu- Tug-of-war and other non-trade activities.
This year’s trade fair is scheduled for April 20-24 under the theme “Unlocking our investment potential”.
When asked whether Gushungo Holdings, a dairy company owned by First Lady Grace Mugabe would exhibit, ZITF general manager Daniel Chigaru was at pains to give a convincing response.
He said since ZITF was running concurrently with Bulawayo Agricultural Society which mostly attract exhibitors from Matabeleland and Midlands region, Gushungo Holdings could ‘probably exhibit at the Harare Agricultural Show’.
On the agricultural side, Nkomo said despite the looming drought in Matabeleland most farmers had confirmed participation.
“The Bulawayo Agricultural Society is looking at penning 40 pedigree cattle and 100 slaughter stock. The sheep and goats, poultry and pigs sections will also be well represented,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nkomo said as of Thursday only 496 exhibitors had confirmed their participation of which 31 were foreign direct exhibitors. Only 14 countries namely Iran , Indonesia , Italy , Kenya , Malawi , Mozambique , Namibia , South Africa , Tanzania , Turkey , Ghana , Zambia , Botswana and India have confirmed their participation.