15 Botswana companies to exhibit at ZITF

At least 15 local companies will participate at the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to be held from the April 28 to May 2 in Bulawayo, authorities in that country have revealed.

The Director of Corporate Communications at the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC)  Moagi has said a trade delegation will leave for Zimbabwe's second largest city towards the end of next month for the exhibition fair.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu is expected to officially open the trade fair that has been in existence for the past 56 years.

This year's ZITF will be held under the theme, "Simulating Trade: Seizing opportunities to accelerate growth."

Moagi said the theme is in line with Botswana's desire to accelerate economic growth through diversification.

She said participating at the trade fair will open markets for locally produced products.

"The companies will be assisted by BITC," Moagi said and added that BITC will erect stalls for exhibiting companies.

"Company owners will only find their way to Zimbabwe and pay for their accommodation during the trade fair," she said.

Moagi said the aim is to develop export markets for locally produced products and services.

She explained that the fair will also generate foreign direct investment into the country.

"This is done through the provision of marketing assistance to develop new export markets and grow existing export markets as well as identification of new export markets through market research," she said.

Moagi described Zimbabwe as one of Botswana's key strategic partners in the region.

Countries that are expected to exhibit at the fair include China, Brazil, Congo Brazzaville, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Poland, Bangladesh, India and Nigeria.

This year's exhibition will feature product groups ranging from machinery, infrastructure, manufacturing processes, equipment, innovation, automation and supplies for Agro-processing, among others.