75% space taken up ahead of ZITF showcase in April

PREPARATIONS for this year's Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) showcase are gathering momentum with more than 75 percent of the exhibition space booked.

The 56th edition of the annual trade showcase runs from April 21 to 25 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.

ZITF Company general manager Noma Ndlovu yesterday said regional and international exhibitors had confirmed participation.

"More than 75 percent of exhibition space has already been booked and this was the same trend last year. Interest from international participants is also encouraging as enquiries have come from as far afield as Europe and Asia," she said.

"Our network of international sales agents continues to work with us to attract participants from more markets. Countries that have confirmed participation include Germany, India, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Poland and South Africa."

Ndlovu said they expect the figure to increase as expressions of interest by other foreign countries are confirmed into actual bookings.

Stands, she said, are allocated on a first paid, first placed basis.

The 2015 ZITF will be held under the theme, "Stimulating Trade . . . Seizing Opportunities to Accelerate Growth".

In line with the theme, this year's trade fair is expected to offer a prime platform for networking and opportunities to propel economic growth.

Ndlovu said business visitors' registration was now open with businesspeople from across all  economic sectors encouraged to register online for free entry on business days as well as to attend key events during the trade fair.

According to the calendar, April 21 to 23 will be exclusive business days while the expo would be opened to the public on April 24 when it will be officially opened.

One of the key events during ZITF, the Bulawayo Agricultural Show, will run from April 21 to 25.

"The following sector-specific exhibitions will also run parallel to ZITF 2015, A'sambeni Africa Business Tourism Expo, Scholastica and Ultim8 Home," said Ndlovu.

"The ZITF International Business Conference will this year focus on how  stimulating exports will provide opportunities to propel growth under Zimbabwe Agenda for Socio-Economic Transformation."

She said to aid exhibitors in planning for their participation at the forthcoming event, the ZITF Company has organised two exhibitor training seminars.

"One will be held in Bulawayo on February 10 while the other is scheduled for February 8 in Harare. This year's training programme will focus on how to successfully leverage one's participation in order to achieve maximum returns on investment," she said.