MOZAMBICAN President Daniel Chapo will officially open this year’s 65th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) with 596 direct exhibitors already registered to participate compared to 428 who registered during the same period last year.
The ZITF is scheduled for April 21 to 26 this year and will be held under the theme Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Landscape.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere, during post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, said a key highlight was the extension of the event to six days.
“The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is conducting strategic dialogues with national business member organisations and industry associations to maximise private sector participation and input.
“As part of preparations for the event, Air Zimbabwe and fastjet were engaged with the aim to increase flight frequency for exhibitors and visitors and ensure a positive customer experience,” he said.
Muswere said 98 were first-time exhibitors.
“In terms of the current space booking situation, 95% has been booked to date, compared to 87% booked during the same period in 2024. International exhibitor space uptake has increased, with 29 countries having registered,” he said.
Registered countries include Afghanistan, Angola, Austria, Belarus, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union delegation, Egypt, Ethiopia, France and Germany.
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Other countries expected at the ZITF include Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Netherlands, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, the United States, United Arab Emirates and Zambia.
This surpasses 27 countries that participated in last year’s edition. Additionally, India will also be participating.
Some of the events that will take place during ZITF include the International Business Community, Connect Africa Symposium and the return of the CBZ Original Equipment Manufacturers, among others.
“There will also be the Rural Industrialisation Indaba featuring for the first time,” Muswere said.
Meanwhile, Muswere said the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme, relaunched in May last year, was witnessing positive dividends on the youth demographic group.
He said the first two cohorts of students, numbering 1 077, who graduated from the six months training programme were earmarked for employment at State-funded higher and tertiary education institutions.
“Other graduates are already enrolling for further skills upgrading at various vocational training centres around the country. The government has made it mandatory that vocational certificates will be prioritised for accessing empowerment loans for entrepreneurial start-ups from the Empower Bank.”
