SOUTH AFRICAN companies are expected to again dominate at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) with officials expecting foreign exports to surpass more than R55 million deals recorded last year.
NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER
ZITF 2014 is set for April 22-26 and runs under the theme “New Ideas, New Heights”.
Last year, South Africa was voted the best foreign exhibitor stand due to its quality and design.
South African firms took up the largest single exhibition space of 800 square metres followed by China with 600 square metres, clinching export deals valued at R55,6 million up from R6,6 million recorded at ZITF 2011.
According to South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (THEDTI) media relations official Tshilidzi Madinani the country, Zimbabwe’s major trading partner, has booked space of 796,50 square metres at ZITF 2014 in which a total of 31 companies would be participating.
Madinani said the participation of South African companies has been a success over the years with export sales having trebled between 2011 and 2013.
“The participation of South Africa has been a success, more than tripled its sales record since 2011 to 2013, also awarded the best foreign exhibitor stand due to its quality and stand design.
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“Export sales resulting from participation in the event as reported by South African companies were R6,6 million, R7,1 million and R55,6 million in 2011 to 2013 consecutively. In addition a number of South African companies have set a footprint throughout Zimbabwe.
THEDTI views the fair as in important mechanism to pursue intra-Africa trade as well as to strengthen relations between South Africa and its Sadc counterparts,” Madinani said.
Madinani added that Zimbabwe is one of South Africa’s key strategic partners in the region as evidenced by the consistent participation at the annual exhibition.
“Over the years, the number of South African companies participating in the fair has increased tremendously, from 17 in 2011, to 44 last year.
“The participation of South Africa has been a success, more than tripled its sales record since 2011 to 2013, also awarded the best foreign exhibitor stand due to its quality and stand design.”
More than 21 countries had expressed interest in this year’s exhibition, Zimbabwe’s major trade and business jamboree, compared to 16 that exhibited last year.
ZITF sold 95% of available space in 2013.
Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia have already reserved space.
This year’s exhibition will feature product groups such as machinery and expertise for infrastructure, manufacturing processes and equipment, innovation, automation and supplies for agro-processing, among others.
It will run concurrently with Asambeni Africa Expo, which has been rebranded to a business tourism expo to promote the country.
