‘New Ideas, New Heights’ is the theme of this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), taking place in Bulawayo from 22-26 April. Once again the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will lead a group of South African companies to the fair.

The companies have been assisted by the dti through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA) which aims to develop export markets for South African products and services and to recruit new foreign direct investment into the country. This is done through the provision of marketing assistance to develop new export markets and grow existing export markets, and identification of new export markets through market research, amongst others.

Speaking ahead of the fair, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, said export sales resulting from the participation in the fairas reported by South African companies amounted to R6.6 million, R7.1 million and R55. 6 million consecutively since 2011 to 2013.

“Last year, South Africa was voted the best foreign exhibitor stand due to its quality and design. South African firms took up the largest single exhibition space of 800 square metres followed by China with 600 square metres, clinching export deals valued at R55.6 million up from R6.6 million recorded at ZITF 2011”, she said.

Thabethe added that the department is looking forward to assist the companies to come back with increased market knowledge about the Zimbabwean market, regional and international business contacts and export orders of more than 10 million amongst other things.

According to Deputy Minister Thabethe, the fair is an important mechanism to pursue intra-Africa trade as well as to strengthen relations between South Africa and its SADC counterparts and the rest of the world.

Thabethe described Zimbabwe as one of South Africa’s key strategic countries in the region. Countries represented in the fair include China, Brazil, Congo Brazzaville, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Poland, Bangladesh, India and Nigeria. The United States of America will also participate in this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) after a long absence from the annual trade showcase.

This year’s exhibition will feature product groups such as machinery and expertise for infrastructure, manufacturing processes and equipment, innovation, automation and supplies for agro-processing, among others.