Despite the prevailing economic challenges, eight out of every 10 exhibitors that participated in the 2022 edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair are participating again this year. This was revealed by the ZITF Company board chairman, Busisa Moyo in a media update statement in Bulawayo today ahead of this year’s trade fair which is set to be held from 25 to 29 April.
“In terms of exhibitor numbers, we are currently sitting at 533 direct exhibitors which are 27 percent higher than last year’s closing total of 420 direct exhibitors and 12 percent higher than the booking situation at the same time last year (471 direct exhibitors). This figure includes 108 new exhibitors, indicating an 80 percent retention rate on traditional exhibiting organisations,” Moyo said.
The ZITF chairman informed the media that over 97 percent of the available exhibition space had been taken.
“From a participation perspective, we are happy with the progress to date as we enter the final phase of preparations for the trade show. To date over 48,000 square metres, which converts to 97.2% of available exhibition space, has been sold. This compares favourably to the situation at the same time last year where uptake was at 43 100 square metres,” he said.
Moyo announced that the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Zimbabwe is among this year’s first-time exhibitors.
“Notable amongst the first-time exhibitors which will be participating this year is the Delegation of the European Union to Zimbabwe. While in the past we have had individual countries from the EU participating (e.g., France, Germany and Italy), this will be the first participation by the mission itself. In addition to certain individual national displays on trade opportunities, the bloc will also have exhibits of the various programmes that it is running in and with Zimbabwe”, said Moyo.
Turning to other foreign exhibitors, Moyo highlighted that the number of foreign countries which would be participating in this year’s trade fair had also gone up.
“To date, ZITF 2023 will feature 25 direct exhibits from 21 foreign nations, representing both nation participation and individual companies. This compares favourably to the 2022 edition where 16 direct exhibitors from 13 countries took part in the show. The countries represented are Angola, Belarus, Botswana, China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA) and Zambia,” he said.
Moyo indicated that in terms of local exhibitors, participants from Harare were in the majority compared to their counterparts from Bulawayo and other parts of the country.
“In terms of local participation, 65 percent of the confirmed exhibitors came from Harare, while Bulawayo-based companies accounted for 21 percent. Representation from other cities around the country is currently 14 percent,” Moyo said.
The ZITF boss announced that his company had opened a satellite office at the Bronte Hotel in Harare to cater for exhibitors from the northern side of the country. The initiative would enable exhibitors to access services such as printing and collection of exhibitor badges, payments, collection of business invitations and registration for concurrent events.