ZIMTRADE has embarked on a drive to capacitate local businesses with digital marketing skills to generate brand awareness and business leads.
This was revealed during a two day Zimtrade workshop titled Marketing and Branding for International Competitiveness held in Bulawayo last week.
A Zimtrade representative told the paper that the workshop was part of capacity building interventions for local businesses, particularly, small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs).
“During the programme, our experts and trainers, who have vast knowledge across many aspects of export business take companies through modules covering topics such as foundations to exports, which equip participants with skills on how to identify potential export markets,” said the representative who requested not to be named for protocol reasons.
“Other modules assist SMEs to have a better understanding of the differences between the local and export markets, as well as have an appreciation of the documentation required.”
The programme has been running for years and through training, ZimTrade hopes to nurture participants and assist them to be export ready.
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“SMEs, in particular, who have participated in this programme have found it to be an eye-opener to the possibilities that exist in exports. And, it has actually had them look closely at their business operations and note areas to improve on for them to take the step into exports,” the ZimTrade official said.
“This year, we have invited partners such as Zimra (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority), banks and clearing agents to ensure participants are provided a total information package for them to design their export strategies.”
This year, the programme had received support from CBZ Holdings.
“One of the business experts, Sandra Gumbo, who presented during a topic on Digital Marketing Strategy and Innovation said content marketing uses creative and original content for purposes of generating brand awareness, traffic growth, lead generation, and targeted customers,” the ZimTrade representative added.
The workshop emphasised the importance of using social media marketing for SMEs to promote their brand content, awareness and traffic to generate business leads.