Mozambican President Chapo expected for trade fair

Source: Mozambican President Chapo expected for trade fair | The Sunday Mail

President Chapo

Sunday Mail Reporter

MOZAMBICAN President Daniel Chapo is expected to jet into the country this week to officially open the 65th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), which will take place in Bulawayo from tomorrow.

This year’s highly subscribed event is running under the theme “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape”.

The fair not only showcases the country’s industrial capability but also serves as a platform for meaningful international engagement.

Beyond deals expected at the exhibition, this year’s edition is also anticipated to result in significant economic benefits for the host city, Bulawayo, and the wider economy.

ZITF Company board chairperson Mr Busisa Moyo said there is a packed calendar of business-focused events.

“As is the norm, the expo diary is lined up with rich opportunities for networking, learning and exploring innovative solutions,” he said.

Activities commence on Monday with a business-to-business networking cocktail hosted by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI).

The Rural Industrialisation Indaba is expected the following day.

It will have key sessions such as the Buyers’ Speed Networking, the Zimbabwe-India Business Session and the launch of the ZITF 2025 Innovators’ Forum and Hackathon.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga will be the guest of honour at the flagship ZITF International Business Conference scheduled for Wednesday.

Discussions will focus on revitalising strategic industries, advancing regional and global trade integration, and adopting innovative technologies.

Delegates will also explore global financing mechanisms and learn from international industrialisation models.

Also running on the same day is the inaugural Research for Industrialisation and Economic Recovery Conference, which is expected to highlight the role of research in shaping Zimbabwe’s economic development.

Diplomats, academics, industry leaders, officials from research institutions and civil society members are expected to take part.

Thursday will host a suite of key events, including the CZI Equipment Manufacturers’ Breakfast Meeting, the Connect Africa Symposium, the ZITF Diplomats’ Forum, the ZITF Charity Golf Challenge and the Scholastica Indaba targeting education stakeholders.

The week culminates in the official opening of the fair by President Chapo on Friday, before concluding on Saturday with a public programme celebrating trade, culture and entertainment.

One of the exhibitors, Mr Siphosenkosi Dube, a returning participant in the small and medium enterprise sector, is optimistic about this year’s event.

“Every year, ZITF gets better. The organisation, the turnout and the calibre of exhibitors and visitors reflect Zimbabwe’s growing reputation as a regional trade hub,” he said.

“We have had fruitful pre-fair engagements, and we expect to seal at least three major deals that will not only expand our footprint locally but also open doors regionally, which is key,” he said.

This year’s fair is also notable for its six-day run — an extension aimed at affording more time for engagement between exhibitors and visitors.

Twenty-eight countries confirmed participation, up from 27 last year.

“Traditional exhibition space is 100 percent full, and the ZITF Company has prepared extra space to accommodate the high volume of exhibitors, currently standing at 596,” Mr Moyo said at a media briefing last week.

“Currently, direct exhibitors have taken up 51 204.62 square metres of exhibition space. We can confirm the participation of 45 direct international exhibitors, with 28 countries represented — a notable increase from last year.”

President Mnangagwa has mainly pivoted on economic diplomacy as an integral part of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy.

ZITF Company recently conducted regional roadshows in Botswana, South Africa and Zambia to boost awareness and participation.

Economist Ms Alice Chikonzi said growing participation at the fair, especially by individuals and organisations from Asia and Europe, showed “international confidence in Zimbabwe’s trajectory”.

“These global engagements enrich our local industries with fresh perspectives, advanced expertise and access to broader markets,” she said.

This year’s theme, she said, resonates with Zimbabwe’s goal to align its economic growth with regional and global value chains.