THE country’s export promotion body, ZimTrade, will facilitate the participation of six export ready Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which starts in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Under the theme “Sustainable export growth through industrial development”, ZimTrade will sponsor the participation of six SMEs which have undertaken the Marketing and Branding for International Competitiveness (MBIC) training programme.

ZimTrade’s acting chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru urged the SMEs to use the fair as a platform to establish rapport with international potential buyers.

“One of the modules in the MBIC training programme prepares SMEs with fundamental aspects about how to get ready for shows, and how to attract buyers and promote products during these important events. ZITF might be their first show, and in addition to raising their profile, can act as a grooming platform before taking on international trade fairs which are often much more competitive,” said Mr Majuru.

The participants include companies from the processed foods, leather products, honey, coffee, jewellery, and ceramics.

As part of its offerings to visitors at the show, ZimTrade will also be giving one-on-one trainings to businesspeople, researchers, journalists, or anyone with an interest in the business of trade on key market analysis tools and the Zimbabwe Trade Information Portal.

The 59th exhibition of ZITF will run from 24 to 28 April under the theme, “Sustainable Industrial Development-Inclusive. Competitive. Collaborative.” It will be attended by foreign exhibitors and buyers from countries across the world including Botswana, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia, while China, Cyprus, Germany, Ghana, India, Namibia, Malaysia and UAE will be represented by individual companies from those countries.

The fair will provide a platform for Zimbabwean companies to showcase their products and attract international buyers with local business leaders being optimistic that improved international and domestic investor sentiment under the new administration will yield positive trade gains at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).

Mrs Jackie Gowe of Sweet Maungwe Honey, who is exhibiting with ZimTrade for the second year running, said she was looking forward to secure more international contracts that last year.

“The exposure we got last year was invaluable. ZITF was a great platform to market my brand and I attracted a lot of Japanese visitors who had a keen interest in my products. I also got a lot of contacts and leads, some of which turned into good business deals. Visitors should expect something special from us this year, I am aiming to win prizes again for our stand,” she said.

As part of its offerings to visitors at the show, ZimTrade will be giving one-on-one trainings to businesspeople, researchers, journalists, or anyone with an interest in the business of trade on key market analysis tools and the Zimbabwe Trade Information Portal.