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(NEWZIMBABWE) Zambia’s Sata to open ZITF

Zambia’s Sata to open ZITF
23/04/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

ZAMBIA President Michael Sata will officially open this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which started in Bulawayo on Monday, a government spokesman has confirmed.

Information and Publicity Secretary, George Charamba who also doubles as President Robert Mugabe’s spokesman told state media that Sata was expected in Harare this week for a state visit during which he would also open the week-long ZITF.

“He (President Sata) is coming for a State visit and a State banquet will be hosted for him here in Harare after which he will fly to Bulawayo for the official opening of the ZITF,” Charamba said.

ZITF organisers said there had been a marked increase in the number of exhibitors and countries listed to attend with some European countries, who shunned the fair in a decade of political and economic upheaval, making their return to the country’s premier trade event.

Among other European exhibitors are Italy, Poland and Germany.

Former colonial ruler Britain, US, Australia and France did not confirm they would be sending representatives before going to press.

Brazil is participating for the first time while South Africa and China -- Zimbabwe’s biggest trade partners -- have 35 companies between them exhibiting.

"The exhibition is likely to be outstanding in terms of quality of exhibits, product mix and innovation by exhibitors," event ZITF general manager Daniel Chigaru said.

This year’s event will see 62 percent of exhibitors returning while first time exhibitors account for 38 percent, he said.

The highlight of the exhibition is the International Business Conference on Wednesday.

Vice-President Joice Mujuru is the keynote speaker.

Labels: GEORGE CHARAMBA, JOICE MUJURU, MICHAEL SATA, ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

posted by MrK @ 6:59 PM