The Sunday Mail
Business Reporter
GOVERNMENT has said preparations for the 61st edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) have reached an advanced stage with 396 local exhibitors and international exhibitors from eleven countries having already confirmed participation at this year’s event which starts on Tuesday .
The fair will run for four days from September 21 to 24, 2021 and will be officially opened by President Mnangagwa.
It will run under the theme “Showcasing the New Normal for Business and Industry: Realities and Opportunities”.
In a post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday last week, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the first three days will be business days as the forum seeks to foster relationships between foreign, local and public investors and business people.
“The forum will target innovators drawn from Innovation Hubs of the local universities, and will present students with an opportunity to showcase their innovations to address real life challenges.
“396 local exhibitors, as well as international exhibitors from eleven countries have already confirmed participation,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said international exhibitors are from Malawi, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria; Indonesia, South Africa, Belarus, Kenya, Mauritius, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
She said the Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga will deliver the keynote address at the ZITF International Business Conference, which will be on September 22, 2021.
President Mnangagwa will officially open the Fair on September 23, 2021, and attendance will be strictly by invitation to manage numbers due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Zimbabwe-Diplomats Forum is scheduled for September 23, 2021 and hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
“The function aims at engaging locally-based foreign diplomats on the on-going measures by the Government to facilitate investment and September 24, 2021 will be a Public day and no children will be allowed entry,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa noted that given that the Fair is being held during Covid-19 times, the nation is advised that an elaborate Covid-19 Risk Management Plan has been produced and circulated to all exhibitors.
She added that there will be heightened health and safety protocols, modified venue layouts, digital and hybrid meeting platforms and emphasis on numbers management.
In the same brief, Minister Mutsvangwa noted that the Cabinet approved the memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Turkey on Joint Venture in Transport which was presented by the Attorney-General. She said the agreement seeks to strengthen bilateral agreements on National Railways of Zimbabwe.
“The benefits of the MOU include recapitalisation of NRZ, modernisation of the rail and aviation infrastructure among others,” she said.
She added that this blends well with the drive for international engagement and the mantra that indeed Zimbabwe is open for business. —ebusinessweekly
