ZimBuild 2012 exhibition launched

THE second edition of the Infrastructure Building and Construction Exhibition and Conference or ZimBuild 2012 has been officially launched. The event is scheduled for September 19-22 at the Harare Civic Centre Grounds.

ZimBuild is fast becoming the premier event for identifying infrastructure and construction business opportunities in Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the launch of the event last week, ZimBuild chief executive officer Ms Monica Kanyepi said ZimBuild 2012 will have a special focus on issues around transport, communication and mining infrastructure.

"The exhibition provides an opportunity to assess the state of the industry and its contribution to the goals we have set ourselves.

"The thematic ministry this year is the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development which together with ZimBuild will highlight the central role the ministry plays in delivering infrastructure needs to the nation.

"Given the huge amount of current mining construction throughout the country, ZimBuild will also celebrate this thematic sector," she said.

Highlights for ZimBuild 2012 include exhibition, two trade days, the opening ceremony, a one-day conference and an awards ceremony to celebrate the sector's top achievers.

Zimbuild chairperson Engineer Martin Manuhwa said Zimbabwe should take advantage of its hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly next year to showcase its built environment capacities.

"The forthcoming UNTWO conference is an excellent opportunity for our infrastructure projects to deliver for the country," he said.

The planning and construction of a state-of-the-art conference centre and an international airport is well underway in Victoria Falls ahead of the UNTWO meeting.

Ms Kanyepi said ZimBuild 2012 will build on the success of last year's event where more than 200 delegates, 15 sponsors, 58 exhibiting companies generated business close to US$1 million. An estimated 500 visitors attended last year's event.

The exhibition layout for the current edition has a number of new features and has been designed to maximise learning and networking experiences for the visitors.

The major categories this year include Infrastructure Enablers, Facilities Trade, Builders Bar, Construction Exchange, Professionals, Innovation Alley, Construction Exchange and the International Mart.

"The 2012 edition has a strong focus on delivery of value added services, with the set platforms concentrating on facilitating solutions to three of an array of sector challenges the industry faces which including financing and capacity building, product marketing, increasing networking opportunities," said Ms Kanyepi.

Partners to ZimBuild currently include the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe, Institute of Architects Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Association of Consulting Engineers, Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers, Zimbabwe Institute of Regional and Urban Planners and Real Estate Institute.

Others include the Zimbabwe Builders Contractors Association and the World Council of Civil Engineers.

Government departments, including the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Housing and Social Amenities, Ministry of Transport, Communications Infrastructure and Development, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development among others.

Meanwhile, ZimBuild organisers have indicated that it will soon launch the country's first ever Built Environment Directory during the expo with the first edition being published in 2013.