The Sunday Mail
Business Reporter
National trade development and promotion organisation, ZimTrade, is facilitating local companies to engage with potential buyers in Namibia, and Mozambique during trade exhibitions scheduled for later this month.
At least 15 local businesses, drawn from manufacturing, horticulture, processed foods, and services sectors, are expected to take part in the Namibia’s Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, scheduled for 26 August — September 1.
This is the first time companies will be taking part at the fair under ZimTrade’s banner.
In Mozambique, 12 companies will take part in the Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM), taking place from 29 August — September 4.
Companies participating at FACIM will be drawn from sectors such as processed foods, building and construction, fast-moving consumer goods, processed foods, clothing and textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
Other sectors that are targeted for FACIM are clothing and textiles, engineering, packaging, furniture, and agriculture inputs and implements. Under ZimTrade’s banner, local companies will be returning to FACIM after years of absence.
The scheduled trade fairs follow the successful exhibition by 30 Zimbabwean businesses at the Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show, where the country, through ZimTrade, won the Best International Exhibit Award.
ZimTrade chief executive officer, Allan Majuru, said participating at the trade fairs dovetails with Second Republic’s economic diplomacy agenda, which is being implemented through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
“The current focus is clear in terms of harnessing our good political relations with countries in the region into meaningful economic relations.
“We already have separate bi-lateral trade agreements with Namibia and Mozambique, and what is important to facilitate for business linkages so that companies in our countries will enjoy the benefits of those agreements,” he said.
Mr Majuru further said Namibia is a market that is warming to Zimbabwean products, thanks to ongoing continuous engagement between the Governments of the two countries.
“The relationship between Presidents of Zimbabwe and Namibia, which saw upgrading of relations between the two countries, from a Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation to Bi-National Commission, is a positive development that local exporters should take advantage of to increase exports.
“The establishment of the Dry Port facility in Walvis Bay, is another testimony of cordial relations between our two countries and presents an opportunity for Zimbabwean exporters to easily access other markets beyond the continent,” said Mr Majuru.
The port, commissioned by President Mnangagwa will provide Zimbabwe with a direct alternative shipping route on the side of the Atlantic Ocean for both exports to and imports from Europe, the Americas, Far East Asia and West Africa.
In turn, Zimbabwean exporters will enjoy a less costly route to the rest of the world compared to using other ports.
This port will enhance trade with Namibia and broaden the prospects of Zimbabwean exporters to trade within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting international trade.
With regards to Mozambique, President Mnangagwa recently revealed plans to pay a working visit to the neighbouring countries, where discussions will focus on strengthening economic relations between Harare and Maputo. As such, the FACIM trade fair will provide an opportunity for local companies to harness the good relations, and increase exports into Mozambique.
A market survey conducted by ZimTrade in Maputo province, Mozambique, last year discovered potential in sectors such as processed foods, building and construction, agricultural inputs and implements, horticulture, and services.
For example, Mozambique is heavily dependent on imports for most of its processed foods, home electricals, toiletries, and detergents and other FMCG categories. Further opportunities are in the agriculture sector where Zimbabwe has an advanced sector that can meet most requirements in the market.
Another opportunity in the sector is provision of agricultural skills and expertise as well as quality seeds.
Zimbabwean companies have the potential to supply products like seeds, chemicals, treated poles for fencing, tractor drawn implement, hand tools, chemicals and fertilisers among others. There is potential for Zimbabwean companies to embark on seed production and supply the market with other seed varieties.
Since the greater part of farmers in Mozambique are based in the rural areas, hand tools (hoes, ploughs, cultivators) as well as ox-drawn implements have great potential.
In addition, the construction and engineering sector of Mozambique has vast opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses.
The current construction projects in Mozambique have created direct and indirect business opportunities with the most significant opportunities for Zimbabwean companies being supply of materials and related services.
