News / Africa
Five trade fairs lined up for the Sadc region this year
20 Jun 2011 at 12:37hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's national trade promotion agency, ZimTrade will co-ordinate participation of dozens of local companies at five international fairs in the SADC region this year.
ZimTrade acting chief executive officer Crispen Tsvarai said the fairs are in Zambia, Namibia, the DRC, Malawi and Mozambique and are scheduled to take place in June, September, October and November.
The first will be the 47th edition of the Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola from June 29 to July 5.
Zimbabwean companies will focus on construction, processed foods and beverages, electrical products, clothing and textiles, office supplies and transport equipment.
'A number of leading manufacturers and exporters have confirmed they will be showcasing the diversity and quality of Zimbabwe's products at the trade fair.'
Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to constitute the bulk of Zimbabwean exhibitors.
Ndola is the second largest city in Zambia and the commercial and industrial hub of the Copperbelt.
Tsvarai added: 'The Zambian market presents opportunities for a wide range of products produced and manufactured by Zimbabwean companies.'
Zimbabwean companies will then participate in the Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show from September 23 to October 1, and then the COMESA Fair in Zambia (September/October).
The Lubumbashi Solo Exhibition in DRC will come next followed by the Beira Solo Exhibition in Mozambique.
'Participation at fairs, even by established manufacturers and exporters, is an indication of the steady revival of local industry and the desire by these companies to go out and reclaim lost markets.
'It is also a sign of the manufacturers' confidence and readiness to face their competitors from other countries.
'Small and upcoming manufacturers are also realizing the need to grow their businesses by expanding into regional markets,' Tsvarai said.
He encouraged exporters to take full advantage of preferential trade agreements provided for under SADC and COMESA.
'Agreements such as the SADC Trade Protocol and the COMESA Free Trade Area provide for duty-free import of qualifying products thereby boosting competitiveness.
'Trade facilitation projects such as the Chirundu One-Stop-Border Post have boosted movement of goods and people to regional markets.'
In 2010 629 organisations exhibited at the Zambia International Trade Fair, representing a 20 percent increase from the previous year.
Zambia is one of Zimbabwe's biggest trading partners.
Last year Zimbabwe's exports to Zambia amounted to US$120 million while imports were worth US$90m, reflecting a trade balance of US$30m in Zimbabwe's favour.
ZimTrade acting chief executive officer Crispen Tsvarai said the fairs are in Zambia, Namibia, the DRC, Malawi and Mozambique and are scheduled to take place in June, September, October and November.
The first will be the 47th edition of the Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola from June 29 to July 5.
Zimbabwean companies will focus on construction, processed foods and beverages, electrical products, clothing and textiles, office supplies and transport equipment.
'A number of leading manufacturers and exporters have confirmed they will be showcasing the diversity and quality of Zimbabwe's products at the trade fair.'
Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to constitute the bulk of Zimbabwean exhibitors.
Ndola is the second largest city in Zambia and the commercial and industrial hub of the Copperbelt.
Tsvarai added: 'The Zambian market presents opportunities for a wide range of products produced and manufactured by Zimbabwean companies.'
Zimbabwean companies will then participate in the Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show from September 23 to October 1, and then the COMESA Fair in Zambia (September/October).
'Participation at fairs, even by established manufacturers and exporters, is an indication of the steady revival of local industry and the desire by these companies to go out and reclaim lost markets.
'It is also a sign of the manufacturers' confidence and readiness to face their competitors from other countries.
'Small and upcoming manufacturers are also realizing the need to grow their businesses by expanding into regional markets,' Tsvarai said.
He encouraged exporters to take full advantage of preferential trade agreements provided for under SADC and COMESA.
'Agreements such as the SADC Trade Protocol and the COMESA Free Trade Area provide for duty-free import of qualifying products thereby boosting competitiveness.
'Trade facilitation projects such as the Chirundu One-Stop-Border Post have boosted movement of goods and people to regional markets.'
In 2010 629 organisations exhibited at the Zambia International Trade Fair, representing a 20 percent increase from the previous year.
Zambia is one of Zimbabwe's biggest trading partners.
Last year Zimbabwe's exports to Zambia amounted to US$120 million while imports were worth US$90m, reflecting a trade balance of US$30m in Zimbabwe's favour.
Source - The Southern Times
