Zimtrade to hold solo exhibition in Malawi

ZIMTRADE, the country’s trade promotion body, is set to hold a solo exhibition in Malawi at the end of this month in an effort to assist local companies to expand their external markets.

The move is also anticipated to put the country back on the trading map by increasing exports and generating foreign receipts for the country.

ZimTrade’s market advisor, Mrs Vuyiswa Mafu, in an interview said preparations were at an advanced stage for the Malawi exhibition.

"We are having a stakeholders’ meeting today (Thursday) to clarify and smoothen out a few issues, but we are ready and everything is working out well according to our schedule," she said.

ZimTrade facilitates and sponsors companies in export initiatives. The export promotion body is also involved in market and product research, trade fairs and assists in trade policy formulation.

She however was not at liberty to divulge the number of local companies that would be participating at the exhibition.

"The actual specific number of local companies to exhibit in Malawi would only be available after the meeting.

"But if the overwhelming response we have been getting since we published out intention to hold the exhibition is anything to go by, then we are likely to have quite a number," she said.

This month’s exhibition is part of ZimTrade’s efforts to market Zimbabwean products ahead of the Fifa 2010 soccer showcase to be held in South Africa.

Zimtrade chief executive Mr Herbert Chakanyuka said: "Everything boils down to this region and this area is our main thrust.

This is in terms of the World Cup where a lot of people will come and when they sample Zimbabwean products it will trigger increased demand," he said.

Recently Zimtrade has been carrying out exhibitions and trade fairs in countries such as Angola, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Zimtrade will also hold another solo exhibition in Angola during the last week of November.

Angola, which is rebuilding its economy following a 27-year civil war, offers huge business opportunities in building and construction materials, processed foods, footwear, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural equipment.

For the past few years Zimbabwean goods have been finding their way into Angola through South Africa, highlighting the need to establish partnership and trade directly.

Last month ZimTrade cancelled out its participation in the Maputo International Trade Fair due to viability problems and lack of foreign currency.