Mine Entra expo preps on course

Published: 30 June 2013

PREPARATIONS for this year's Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) expo are at an advanced stage with more than 5 800 square metres of exhibition space having been booked so far. The annual event is organised by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company. The business event this year starts from 24 to 26 July at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.

ZITF Company chairman Mr Bekithemba Nkomo, said at a Press Conference in Bulawayo yesterday that favourable progress had been made with selling the exhibition.

"Preparations for Mine Entra 2013 are now at an advanced stage. Seventy percent of space set aside for the exhibition has been taken with over 5 800 square metres of exhibition space booked so far, This figure compares favourably against the 6 000 square metres sold at this time last year," he said.

Of the space sold to date, he said 82 percent had been booked by returning exhibitors.

"Foreign participation is encouraging with representation from the People's Republic of China, Germany and South Africa. A good mix of mining, engineering, and transport products and services will be on show including heavy engineering, conveyors, rubber products, electrics and electronics as well as pumps and other equipment. For the first time, building and construction will be featured in Hall 3 in addition to other support services to the mining industry such as banking, security, insurance and electronics and customs clearing," said Mr Nkomo.

This year's Mine Entra conference and the Joint Suppliers and Purchasers Conference will take place on 24 and 25 July respectively.

The forums were organized in conjuction with the Chamber of Mines. The business events will run under the theme of the whole exhibition, "Extract Value, Boost Economic Growth".

"Both conferences will add value to Mine Entra participants as they update all stakeholders on the state of the mining industry in Zimbabwe. Topics to be covered in both conferences include, unlocking the potential of Zimbabwe's mining industry, update on the new mining projects; opportunities and obstacles, catalyzing the beneficiation of the Zimbabwean mineral output and attracting foreign investment to fund mining projects." Mr Nkomo added that efforts were also being made to ensure artisanal and small-scale mining companies were well represented at Mine Entra.

He said the Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Council were organizing a conference to run during the Mine Entra.

The 2013 Mine Entra will be officially opened on 25 July and Mr Nkomo said the guest of honour would be announced in due course.
- chronicle