The President of Kenya, Dr. William Ruto, is scheduled to inaugurate the 64th anniversary of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) next month.
During a briefing with Cabinet Ministers on Tuesday regarding the current state of readiness for the country’s premier trade exhibition, which attracts participants from around the world, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu announced that preparations are nearing completion.
The event is slated to take place from April 23rd to 27th, 2024, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
“Preparations for the 2024 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair are on track, with infrastructure refurbishment already underway and expected to be completed by 20 April 2024. The 64th Edition Fair, which will be private sector-led, will run under the theme “Innovation: The Catalyst for Industrialisation and Trade”.
“The fair will be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Dr. William Ruto,” he said.
Kenya and Zimbabwe have a long-standing relationship characterized by trade and investment ties.
Recent communications between President Mnangagwa and Dr. Ruto underscore the continuation of the strong bonds between the two nations.
Providing further details on the event, Minister Ndlovu disclosed that 466 direct exhibitors had registered to participate as of March 21st, 2024, with 65 of them being first-time exhibitors. Additionally, 96% of the available net space, equivalent to 47,425 square meters out of 49,499 square meters, has already been reserved.
Twenty-five international exhibitors from 21 countries, including Belarus, China, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, are expected to participate.
“There will also be a two-day ZITF Innovators Forum for young innovators and entrepreneurs in Africa. The five-day ZITF Scholastica Expo 2024 event will focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership for students in the country.
“As part of capacity building, the ZITF Company will offer value-added services to exhibitors and visitors as well as exhibition training to exhibitors for the best possible return on investment,” added Ndlovu.
