THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company yesterday said it has sold 90% of exhibition space as preparations for this year’s edition of the premier trade showcase gather pace.
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
The 56th annual edition will be held from April 28 to May 2, under the theme “Simulating Trade: Seizing opportunities to accelerate growth”.
Zambian President Edgar Lunga is expected to officially open the trade fair, a major highlight on Bulawayo’s calendar.
ZITF general manager Nomathemba Ndlovu told Southern Eye yesterday that most exhibitors were putting final touches on stands.
“To date close to 47 000 square metres which converts to 90% of available space have been sold,” she said.
“Foreign participation has improved with 22 direct foreign exhibitors having booked, which is on par with the booking statistics at this time last year”
Sixteen ccountries namely Botswana, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Germany, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, the United States and Zambia would participate in this year’s fair.
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Ndlovu said the number of participating countries could increase as potential exhibitors from Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Oman and the United Arab Emirates had shown an interest.
She encouraged exhibitors to first register online to avoid delays.
ZITF would hold sector-specific exhibitions – namely A’sambeni Africa Business Tourism Expo, Scholastica, Pakprint – to run alongside the main fair.
Last year, 19 countries, including the US, which had not taken part at ZITF for 10 years, and close to 400 firms, participated.
China was the biggest exhibitor in 2014 occupying more than 1 000m2 of exhibition space up from 600m2 in 2013, but there were no major companies from the Asian economic giant.
South Africa increased uptake of exhibition space from 700m2 in 2013 to 800m2 last year.
