Maravi

(HERALD) Zimtrade targets regional markets

Zimtrade targets regional markets
Business Reporter

ZIMTRADE says it will facilitate participation of local companies in trade promotional missions due to be held in the Sadc region as it seeks to capitalise on these markets ahead of the Fifa 2010 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa. The trade body said local companies were being invited for the Windhoek Agricultural and Industrial Show to be held in Namibia later this month.

Zimtrade said it would also facilitate the participation of local companies inthe Tanzania Solo Exhibition to be held in Dar es Salaam early next month and the Global Expo Botswana scheduled for Gaborone between October 17 and 20.

Other events include the Afribuild to slated for Johannesburg between October 23 and 25 and Malawi Solo Exhibition later next month.

Zimtrade chief executive Mr Herbert Chakanyuka said companies willing to participate in these events should start making their submissions.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the presence of Zimbabwean companies and products within the Sadc and Comesa regions and urged local companies to take advantage of preferential access.

"The Sadc and Comesa market is a major market for Zimbabwean goods and presents the most potential for earning foreign currency through exports," he said.

"The export promotional events outlined reflect the need to develop these markets.

"In view of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa will be inundated and fully occupied with satisfying demand on the local market.

"This presents an opportunity for Zimbabwean companies to fill the gaps in the South African market itself and in the larger regional market.

"Zimbabwean companies are, therefore, urged to gear themselves up to take advantage of this opportunity," said Mr Chakanyuka.

Back home Zimtrade was also organising an Export Marketing Training Programme targeting individual small to medium enterprises and large companies that will run from September 17 to September 21.

"With the necessary support SMEs have proved as effective as large companies in their ability to enter and operate in export markets.

"With this in mind Zimtrade carries out a training programme, "Export Market Training Programme", for SMEs" that are interested in penetrating export markets in a sustainable way. "The programme is meant to develop an export culture among small to medium enterprises," he said.

Labels: SMEs, ZIMTRADE

posted by MrK @ 3:20 AM