News / Local
Mugabe to officially open ZITF
22 Apr 2014 at 18:42hrs | Views
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe will open this year's 55th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) after Congo-Brazzaville's president Denis Sassou Nguesso cancelled out.
Initially, a delegation from Congo Brazzaville had confirmed President's Nguesso's participation when it paid a courtesy call on President Mugabe at State House some time in March.
However, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha, whose ministry hosts the trade fair, said due to unforeseen circumstances, the Congo-Brazzaville's president can no longer open the premier trade event.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha was quoted: "ZITF is now officially opened by President Mugabe. I do not know why there was a change, but all I can say is that it has been confirmed that our President will officially open the ZITF."
Congo Brazzaville was said to be the 15th foreign nation to confirm participation. The other countries represented at ZITF 2014 include Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, United States and Zambia.
This year's ZITF is themed: "New Ideas to New Heights - Progress through Innovation".
The five-day trade expo draws exhibitors from across the globe and comes at a time when the country is promoting the economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset). Therefore, one of the highlights of the five day exhibition include the International Business Conference to be held tomorrow organised in partnership with the National Economic Consultative Forum and other stakeholders. The theme of the International Business Conference is "Technology and Innovation: A key pillar for ZimAsset successful Implementation."
Initially, a delegation from Congo Brazzaville had confirmed President's Nguesso's participation when it paid a courtesy call on President Mugabe at State House some time in March.
However, Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha, whose ministry hosts the trade fair, said due to unforeseen circumstances, the Congo-Brazzaville's president can no longer open the premier trade event.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha was quoted: "ZITF is now officially opened by President Mugabe. I do not know why there was a change, but all I can say is that it has been confirmed that our President will officially open the ZITF."
Congo Brazzaville was said to be the 15th foreign nation to confirm participation. The other countries represented at ZITF 2014 include Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Italy, Iran, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, United States and Zambia.
This year's ZITF is themed: "New Ideas to New Heights - Progress through Innovation".
The five-day trade expo draws exhibitors from across the globe and comes at a time when the country is promoting the economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset). Therefore, one of the highlights of the five day exhibition include the International Business Conference to be held tomorrow organised in partnership with the National Economic Consultative Forum and other stakeholders. The theme of the International Business Conference is "Technology and Innovation: A key pillar for ZimAsset successful Implementation."
Source - Radio Dialogue
