Zimbabwe International Trade Fair gets off to a slow start

By Tichaona Sibanda
26 April 2006

The 47th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair got off to a disappointing start on Tuesday in Bulawayo amid hopes and some optimism that the event might help revive the ailing economy.

The five-day fair, running under the theme ‘Springboard for economic revival’ has attracted a small number of foreign exhibitors, once the lifeline of the country’s trading showcase.

Themba Nkosi our correspondent said 30 foreign exhibitors, mainly from neighbouring countries, had set up stands Tuesday. There were expectations more foreign exhibitors would register but by midday Wednesday only a handful of local exhibitors had taken up space at the trade fair grounds.

Tuesday and Wednesday are traditionally reserved for traders day and gates will open for the public on Thursday. Themba Nkosi had a tour around the grounds and describes a dull atmosphere enveloping the event.

‘Standards at the ZITF have dropped to an amazing all time low. The city has lost its enthusiasm for the fair and the body language of those running the event says it all, that things aren’t the same as before,’ Nkosi said.

Initially, the trade showcase had attracted 78 foreign and 618 local exhibitors of whom 60 percent were regular participants while 27 percent were exhibiting for the first time.

‘Only half of those who had confirmed they would participate have actually made it, so it’s a reversal of what they are trying to achieve,’ said Nkosi.

Last year ZITF recorded a Z$3,1 billion loss compared to the Z$421,8 million loss in 2004 and that figure is expected to double this year.