OWIT-Zimbabwe, the local chapter of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) has organised an open market day and exhibition for women in international trade to be held on October 30 at Ecobank Borrowdale Gardens in Harare.
The organisation’s president Buhlebenkosi Ostlea Nyathi, who is also the founder and CEO of Competitive Branshapers trading as CBS Dairy, CBS manufacturing, CBS house of organic foods and CBS imports and exports distribution, said they were happy to empower and build the capacity of local women entrepreneurs, especially as they prepare for the Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF) to be held in Cairo, Egypt.
A great opportunity and platform awaits Zimbabwean women in international trade at the Intra Africa Trade Fair 2023 connecting African Markets from November 9 to 15 in Cairo, Egypt International Exhibition Centre.
IATF 2023 will provide a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access integrated African markets of over 1,3 billion people created under the AFCFTA.
“The Open Market Day and Exhibition at Ecobank Borrowdale Gardens is thus a good opportunity and capacitation for Zimbabwean women in international trade to better prepare for the regional showcase in Egypt notwithstanding the added benefit of homeground marketing and selling for growth within Zimbabwe,” Nyathi said.
“The Borrowdale event, which will be supported by Ecobank, has got the full blessings of the Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development ministry while the responsible minister Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa will be the guest of honour.
“As OWIT Zimbabwe, we honour initiatives of banks like Ecobank through their Elevate programme tailor-made to augment and anchor our efforts in upscaling the girl child.
“The hope is that through such leveraging, we position the girl child for available opportunities in-country, within the region and at global level and we remain open to further support that can consolidate our efforts to empowering women in business.
“The ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprises Development is also partnering us in this initiative and we are happy that Minister Mutsvangwa will be our guest of honour.
“We have also invited various women business membership organisations such as Empowered Women to attend and exhibit.”
According to Nyathi, the Open Market Day and Exhibition is a prime platform for all progressive women in international trade and a good opportunity to network, share experiences and exchange ideas on how to get ahead and stay ahead in business.
“The event is free for all and the first 100 women businesses to register with us by October 25 are invited to bring their products and services for showcasing and selling,” she said.
“You can come as an individual or group depending with what works best for your set up.
“Various industry stakeholders as well as members of the media will be invited to attend, interface with exhibiting brands as well as document their milestones.”
The Women Affairs ministry has in the past two months hosted a number of programmes aimed at capacitating women in business. Nyathi said she was warmed by their initiative and heightened drive to empowering women.
“We are encouraged by the ministry of Women Affairs’ drive to express vibrant energy in anchoring women empowerment, development and economic growth,” Nyathi said.
“In all this, I am even more proud of the Zimbabwean woman who is uniquely industrious demonstrating mind-blowing innovation, solutions, work and entrepreneurship amidst countless challenges.
“I love the ladies in enterprise because through their networks, they work more, pray more and complain less. I stand for girls who fear evil but are fearless at working profitably.”
The industrious woman whose own business initiatives have received international acclaim said they were grateful for partners like Ecobank who are giving their all in the quest for women emancipation.
“We are grateful for partners like Ecobank that continue to champion excellence by supporting and elevating the economic progress of women,” she said.
“At Owit, we believe in developing a wholesome woman with a rich mind, spirit, conduct and pocket as we foster unlimited economic empowerment and growth. It, therefore, gives us great pleasure that we have responsible organisations like Ecobank that continue playing their part in the quest for women emancipation. Corporate social investment of this magnitude must be applauded especially as we seek to entrench financial intelligence as well as excellence and productivity in our women.”
OWIT was established in 1989 and it’s a global association for women in international trade and business. The organisation focusses on adding value to corporate, medium, small enterprises and individual members around the world. OWIT Zimbabwe was established in 2019 and membership is drawn from women of diverse backgrounds and offers immense networks and market opportunities to business women. Membership includes traders from sectors such as manufacturing, services, agriculture and tourism.