ZITF roars into life today

Published: 10 June 2013

The annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair roars into life today with a number of exhibitors late yesterday racing against time to complete their stands ahead of the country's largest trade showcase.

The 54th edition of the ZITF is running under the theme, "Building Value, Enhancing Growth".

When this news crew visited the Exhibition Centre yesterday afternoon, some exhibitors were still erecting their stands.

In separate interviews workmen contracted by exhibitors expressed optimism that by end of day yesterday they would have finished the job.

"We started erecting the stand yesterday and we hope that by end of day today we will be through with our work. As you can see, most people are busy on their stands and it is likely that a number of them will finish preparing the exhibition stands tomorrow morning," said Mr Calvin Sekerani who was working on the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund stand in Hall 3.

Workmen at other stands who preferred not to be named said they expected to complete working on the stands this morning.

"All I can say is that we have been contracted to erect the exhibition stands. We cannot comment any further," said a workman whose company was contracted by Gtel.

A snap survey also established that even pavilions outside the Halls were still being worked on yesterday.

However, some of the pavilions inside and outside the halls had been completed. Vehicles carrying products for exhibition were also noticed entering Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.

"We are ready for the trade fair. As you can see some of us have finished setting up our products for exhibition," said an official at a local safari company exhibiting in Hall 3.

ZITF Company deputy general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu could not be reached for comment yesterday.

However, in an interview on Sunday she confirmed that exhibitors at the 54th edition of the trade fair started arriving on Friday adding that more were expected yesterday.

Among those that arrived last week were those from South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry, China and the Zambia Development Agency.

Sixteen countries would participate at this year's trade showcase with Ghana coming in as a new entrant while Tanzania is bouncing back after a few years' absence.

Last year, 14 countries took part at the ZITF.

Malawi President Joyce Banda will officially open the trade fair on Friday and is expected to tour the stands accompanied by her counterpart President Mugabe before the official opening.
- TH

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