AT LEAST 23 local companies are set to participate at the Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show (Zacs) scheduled for later this month, NewsDay has established.
Source: Local companies to exhibit at Zambian Agricultural Show – NewsDay Zimbabwe July 19, 2016
BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
According to ZimTrade, the country’s export promotion body, the fair runs from July 27 to August 1 in Lusaka, Zambia.
The body said more than 20 companies drawn from sectors such as building and construction, wood to furniture, processed foods, as well as agricultural inputs and implements, among others, would participate at the show.
Zacs is a multi-sectoral event, which showcases agricultural machinery and implements, industrial equipment, plastic products, forestry products, livestock, poultry products, horticulture, motor vehicles, trading, financial services, as well as fishing products, among others.
In 2015, the event attracted over 1 000 exhibitors from 23 countries, which included Germany, Israel, Pakistan, China, India, United States of America, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Ghana, among others.
“Participation at this year’s event is aimed at further exposing Zimbabwean products to regional buyers and international buyers as well as to generate export orders,” ZimTrade said.
Last year, ZimTrade successfully coordinated the participation of 26 companies in the Zacs show and deals worth more than $1 million were clinched.
ZimTrade conducted the Zambian market research in April 2015 to establish the export potential of Zimbabwean products and services. The research identified opportunities in areas such as mining supplies including protective wear; fashion and corporate wear; construction industry supplies; manufacturing inputs; agricultural implements and inputs; fast moving consumer goods as well as professional services as among others.
In addition, the research indicated that Zambia imports about 90% of its manufactured goods and, in 2014, the country’s total import bill was $9,5 billion. With an estimated population of 14,6 million, a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $25,5 billion and a GDP per capita of $1 800, Zambia presents a huge potential for expansion of Zimbabwe’s export capacity.
Total trade between the two countries was worth $283 million in 2014 is governed by the Comesa and Sadc trade agreements, which offer preferential treatment for qualifying products into each other’s market.
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