Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
MORE than 300 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), alongside public and private sector organisations, are exhibiting their products and services at the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference, which entered its third day yesterday at Chinhoyi University of Technology.
The exhibition has attracted participants from various economic sectors seeking to market their products, engage potential clients, and establish business relationships during the annual gathering, which brings together party delegates, Government officials, and other stakeholders from across the country.
The country’s diversified media organisation, Zimpapers, is among the exhibitors taking advantage of the event to showcase its services.
ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson, Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, said more exhibitors are still registering, expressing confidence that the number of corporate exhibitors will continue to grow, potentially reaching 200.
The growing participation reflects the interest among businesses and institutions in using the conference as a platform to increase their visibility and engage directly with their target markets.
Several organisations exhibiting at CUT expressed optimism about the opportunities presented by the conference to promote their services and strengthen relationships with existing and potential clients.
National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) public relations manager, Mr Andrew Kunambura, said the conference provides the parastatal with an opportunity to showcase its operations and encourage farmers and miners to make greater use of rail transport.
“As part of our turnaround strategy, we are acquiring more locomotives that will improve efficiency. This conference is providing us with an opportunity to link with farmers and mining companies about the services we offer,” he said.
Mr Kunambura said increased use of rail transport could benefit the agricultural and mining sectors by providing an alternative for transporting bulk cargo, potentially easing pressure on road infrastructure and improving the movement of goods. He added that engaging stakeholders at such gatherings was important in raising awareness of the role rail transport can play in supporting economic activity.
National Social Security Authority (NSSA) Chinhoyi regional liaison officer, Mr Melusi Moyo, said the conference offers the authority an opportunity to engage stakeholders directly, including people from areas where it does not have offices.
“The exhibition has enabled NSSA to raise awareness of its services, respond to enquiries and provide information to members of the public who might otherwise struggle to access us,” he said.
The engagement is expected to help strengthen public awareness of social security services and the importance of understanding the benefits available to eligible workers and employers.
Zimpapers public relations manager, Mrs Pauline Matanda, said the ongoing engagement is providing a platform for the media giant to showcase its products and services which dovetail with Vision 2030 of leaving no place and no person behind. Through its various publications and broadcasting platforms, Zimpapers offers services in all 16 official languages recognised in Zimbabwe.
The exhibition area has attracted organisations from different sectors, with participants hoping to turn the gathering into an opportunity for business networking, market expansion, and the promotion of products and services.
Meanwhile, participants in the conference walkathon have arrived in Chinhoyi ahead of the official opening of the conference by President Mnangagwa on Friday. The walkathon, which began in Norton, incorporated environmental clean-up campaigns and tree-planting activities as part of efforts to promote environmental conservation and a clean and green environment.
The 23rd conference is being held at CUT, with more than 7 000 delegates expected to attend the annual gathering, which brings together party structures and stakeholders to deliberate on party programmes and national development priorities.
Source: Over 300 exhibitors showcase at Zanu PF Conference – herald
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