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Gibson Mhaka
FOREIGN exhibitors at the 63rd Edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) were optimistic of clinching lucrative deals and doing good business as the annual showcase roared to life in Bulawayo yesterday.
The premier trade showcase started off albeit on a low note and by midday yesterday, some exhibitors were still setting up their stands.
In separate interviews the foreign exhibitors said they were confident of boosting viability and increasing access to targeted markets.
Deputy Head of mission for the Kenyan Embassy in Harare Lazarus Muganda said they were optimistic of boosting their enterprises adding that the premier trade show case would help them create cooperation and business opportunities in Zimbabwe as a growing economy.
“We have been consistently participating at the ZITF and our main purpose is to ensure that we promote trade and investment between Kenya and Zimbabwe and other countries in the region.
“In line with this year’s Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre’s theme: Transformative Innovation, Global Competitiveness,” we want innovation to come to Zimbabwe and in Kenya we have quite a number of innovations that can help promote trade between the two countries.
“We are also asking participants to go and invest in Kenya and as a country we are ready for those investment opportunities,” said Muganda.
Chief executive officer of a Botswana-based consumer electronics firm, Dichaba Consumer Electronics, Tarisai Nikki Chigodora said the inquiries they received on the first day gave them confidence that they would nurture businesses to enable them to produce exportable goods for the international market.
“As Dichaba Consumer Electronics (Pvt) Ltd otherwise known as DICE we are a Botswana based and owned manufacturer of consumer electronics. We have a plant that assembles mobile phones, televisions, laptops and infrared thermometers.
“We offer top quality products packed with cutting edge and innovative technology and strive to keep up with the latest developments.
‘Our expectation at this year’s edition of the ZITF is to mingle with innovators and telecommunication companies like Econet and NetOne so that we can partner and provide our range of products to them. This is because we are also supplying our products in other countries within the Southern African region,” said Chigodora.
Sales and marketing manager of another Botswana-based consumer electronics firm Ditec, Thato Magetse said they were looking forward to exploring investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.
“We are a Botswana-based company that specialises in the manufacturing of cell phones and a wide variety of consumer electronics. We are here at ZITF and our expectation is to open export markets in Zimbabwe and other countries in the Sadc region.
“The good thing about our products is that they are made locally in Botswana and so in terms of servicing we have got all the components.
“We are also looking for partnerships so that we can have a local service centre in Zimbabwe and as if that is not enough we are also looking to empower local citizens so if there are any Zimbabweans back home they should feel free to contact us,” said Magetse.
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