(SUNDAY MAIL ZW) President Banda leaves footprints in Zim
Sunday, 28 April 2013 00:00
Lincoln Towindo
President Mugabe and his Malawian counterpart, Dr Joyce Banda, share a lighter moment while touring exhibition stands at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday — Picture by Percy Musiiwa
In the five days she spent in Zimbabwe, Malawi President Dr Joyce Banda made her presence felt.
One of the most powerful women on the African continent, she last week traversed the length and breadth of the country interacting with all and sundry from senior Government officials, business executives, tobacco farmers, right through to orphans at the Grace Mugabe Children’s Home in Mazowe.
A champion of affirmative action, women empowerment, Dr Banda — just like her Zimbabwean counterpart — is renowned for her pro-poor economic policies in Malawi.
Her visit served to further encapsulate African solidarity for a fellow nation whose people’s aspirations have been ravaged by the bane of illegal Western sanctions for over a decade.
During her brief stay, President Banda was evidently impressed by the Zimbabwean model of black affirmative action.
She visited places such as the country’s tobacco auction floors, the Grace Mugabe Children’s Home and subsequently the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which she officially opened on Friday.
She hailed Zimbabwe’s economic empowerment programmes, saying Malawi will work to replicate the land reform and economic empowerment programmes which benefit the majority.
Since assuming power last year following the death of President Bingu Wa Mutharika, Dr Banda has instituted a raft of policy measures aimed at uplifting indigenous Malawians, especially women, thereby drawing a parallel with Zimbabwe’s black empowerment initiative.
President Banda’s Economic Recovery Plan, which emphasises farm input subsidies in an economy that is hugely dependent on tobacco exports for sustenance, has been hailed as the pinnacle of her short reign.
Following in the footsteps of her predecessor, President Banda has trudged on fighting Malawi’s economic dependence on Western economies nearly 50 years after the country attained independence.
Speaking after touring the country’s biggest indigenous tobacco auction floors — Boka — Dr Banda — who was clearly impressed by Zimbabwe’s apparent progress — was quick to point out that her government will seek to replicate the Zimbabwean affirmative action model.
“I am impressed by your programmes in the agricultural sector,” she said.
“I have plans to send a group of people to come and learn from our brothers and sisters here.
“It is our hope that we will then begin to implement what we have seen here for the benefit of our country and Africa as a continent. Such empowerment initiatives are welcome.
“I was talking to the Vice President (Cde Mujuru) and told her that I have come to learn how we can increase the growing of flue-cured tobacco. In Malawi, we rely on burley tobacco.”
Zimbabwe and Malawi share a common history and heritage of solidarity and oneness.
During the colonial days, Malawi and Zimbabwe along with Zambia fought settler oppression under the ill-fated Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Zimbabwe is also home to a large contingent of Malawian Diasporans.
Following the change of guard in Malawi last year, reactionary forces sort to place a wedge between the two Southern African countries, arguing the Banda administration, thought to be Western-inclined, would fail to co-exist with President Mugabe’s revolutionary leadership.
But President Banda’s visit last week was a clear indication that all is well and dandy between the two nations.
Given Zimbabwe’s suffering and ostracization at the hands of Britain and her Western allies through the illegal sanctions regime, African nations have been steadfast in their demands for Zimbabwe’s right to self-determination.
And who was better to throw her weight behind Zimbabwe’s protracted fight against needles and unfair exclusion than the Malawian leader?
Dr Banda made it clear that in spite of the conspiracy theories that seek to destabilise the harmonious relations between the two states, Malawi will continue to lobby for the removal of the illegal Western sanctions that are affecting ordinary people.
“My visit to Zimbabwe has provided me with a rare opportunity to see what is emerging in Zimbabwe. It gives hope to see that the destiny of Zimbabwe remains in the hands of Zimbabweans,” she said while officially opening the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday.
“We will march with you and the rest of us shall blow the trumpet: ‘lift sanctions, they are hurting the ordinary people.’”
Just as is the case with Zimbabwe’s First Family, President Banda is also renowned for her charity work in Malawi, which is aimed at helping educate and empower women. She is known for her strong passion for women, children and the under-privileged.
In 1989, she started the National Association of Business Women, which raised cash for women to start small businesses by lending them start-up cash for small businesses.
Dr Banda is also founding member of the African Federation of Women Entrepreneurs (AFWE) which operates in 41 countries in Africa.
As a result, she made it a point during her visit that she passed through the Grace Mugabe Children’s Home.
During her tour of the home, she commended the First Family for serving the underprivileged.
“Throughout my adulthood I have been running a lot, including mobilising underprivileged children, but what I saw today makes me feel small and I am impressed by what the First Family has done to reach out to the masses.
“Perhaps people out there do not know that this is what the First Lady is doing here. If you get an opportunity to make money, make sure that you use that money for good and that is what the First Family is doing.
“For Africa to prosper, it means putting the money into households, particularly the poor ones. Once God has blessed us, we have a moral obligation to help underprivileged people.”
Labels: JOYCE BANDA, ROBERT MUGABE, ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR, ZITF
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(NEWZIMBABWE, BUSINESS DAY SA) ZITF: China, SA, top exhibitors
23/04/2013 00:00:00
by Business Day
SOUTH Africa and China have the highest number of exhibitors at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) which opened in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
ZITF chairman Bekithemba Nkomo said on Monday that with 95% of exhibition space sold, South Africa and China had the largest representation. "South Africa has booked the largest exhibition space after taking up 800m² square metres - up from last year’s 400m².
"China has maintained its 600m² square metres that it had taken up last year."
Malawian President Joyce Banda will officially open the international trade fair on Friday.
Analysts have speculated that the high interest from South Africa and China was a reflection of the race between the two countries to make inroads into Zimbabwe’s economy.
South Africa’s Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Elizabeth Thabethe is scheduled to address a business breakfast tomorrow. Issues for consideration at the meeting include funding and access to markets for small to medium-size enterprises.
The instability in South Africa’s mining has made Zimbabwe a lucrative destination for investment in the sector, while the "Look East" policy President Robert Mugabe embarked in 2003 had endeared the country to the Chinese.
"Given the possibility of elections in 2013, investors are readying themselves for a move into Zimbabwe," said Trevor Maisiri, a senior analyst based at the Johannesburg office of the International Crisis Group.
"Investors are also now at a point where they are willing to work with whomever wins elections and runs the government. They are positioning themselves to move into Zimbabwe."
South African resources companies have vast interests in the Zimbabwean mining sector. These include Impala Platinum, Anglo American Platinum and Pretoria Portland Cement.
SA companies also have a strong presence in the Zimbabwean financial services sector and operate two banks — MBCA, a subsidiary of Nedbank, and a unit of Standard Bank, Stanbic.
Further, state-owned South African Airways has tapped into Zimbabwe’s airline industry, following the demise of national carrier Air Zimbabwe, since 2009.
It has also emerged that South Africa has overtaken China as the largest buyer of Zimbabwean tobacco, since the selling season began in February.
Meanwhile, Air Zimbabwe officials said they were on course with their "restructuring exercise" after the national carrier resumed domestic and regional daily flights two weeks ago.
Air Zimbabwe will double the number of flights from Harare to Bulawayo to match increased demand during the ZITF and will run a morning and evening flight schedule.
Labels: BEKITHEMBA NKOMO, ROBERT MUGABE, ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR, ZITF
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Malawi leader jets in for ZITF
Welcome ... President Joyce Banda with President Robert Mugabe and VP Joice Mujuru
23/04/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
MALAWI President Joyce Banda arrived in Harare Tuesday for a five-day State visit during which she will also open this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
Banda took over as President in April last year following the sudden death of Bingu wa Mutharika, who was a close ally of President Robert Mugabe and shared the Zanu PF leader’s distrust of the West.
After assuming office Banda immediately pressed Zimbabwe to re-pay a US$24 million loan extended by Mutharika as she battled an economic crisis blamed on the collapse of relations with the West under Mutharika.
Speaking before she left Malawi, Banda said she would be looking to use the visit to improve co-operation and expand trade relations between the two countries.
“Zimbabwe is not only our long-term friend, but also a strategic partner in terms of trade. It goes without saying therefore that relations between the two countries are critical,” she told reporters.
“Again, since I became President, I have made it a point to visit our neighbours and friends not only as an obligation of courtesy, but also to assure them that my government will make sure that our relations are not only maintained but allowed to expand.”
In Harare President Mugabe appraised her on progress in implementing the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which was facilitated by the regional SADC grouping.
“Our progress in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement has been adversely affected by the unjustified and illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the European Union, the United States and other Western countries,” he said.
“While I would like to thank your great country and other Sadc countries for their unwavering call for the removal of these debilitating sanctions, our detractors have not shown any willingness to have them unconditionally removed.”
Banda will officially open the 54th edition of the ZITF in Bulawayo on Friday.
Labels: JOYCE BANDA, ROBERT MUGABE, ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR, ZITF
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Sata officially opens ZITF
Posted by By Professor Tshuma at 29 April, at 23 : 38 PM
President Robert Mugabe (R) welcomes Zambian President Michael Sata (L) in Harare on April 25, 2012 on a two day state visit. (Photo: JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)
ZAMBIAN President Michael Sata has officially opened the 53rd edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, which he hailed as an organised exhibition. The Zambian President arrived in Harare on April 25 on a two day state visit.
In his address, President Sata said the theme for this year’s ZITF, which is
‘Investing Locally, Reaping Globally’ is appropriate as it helps the nation build products that are competitive regionally and internationally.
He underscored the need for Zimbabwean and Zambian companies to co-operate in order to strengthen and expand relations between the two countries.
He said it is important for local entrepreneurs to add value to their products as this is an integral part in cementing trade between the two countries.
The Zambia leader emphasised the important role played by agriculture in the economies of the two neighbours, urging stakeholders to carry out and promote research in the sector to guarantee food security.
“Allow me to challenge companies here present to be more innovative and facilitate advancements that will enhance quality products for various markets,” he said.
He added: “Our two nations are endowed with fertile soil and have the capability to be breadbaskets of Africa and the world. It is therefore imperative to address challenges in the agricultural sector.”
“We need also to explore and incorporate new technologies for our products to compete regionally and internationally. That is why Zambia and Zimbabwe have signed various Memoranda of Understanding to foster co-operation.”
President Sata invited Zimbabwean companies to participate at the Zambia Trade Fair and the Agricultural Show which will be held in June and August this year respectively.
Zimbabwe-Zambia relations date back to the days of the independence struggles of both countries and have grown from strength to strength, with both being members of regional grouping, Sadc.
Zambia is Zimbabwe’s fourth largest trading partner.
The event was President Robert Mugabe, First Ladies Grace Mugabe and Dr Christine Kaseba, Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John L. Nkomo, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, Senate President Edna Madzongwe and Senior Government officials.
Now in its 53rd year, ZITF still ranks as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s top trade expos despite a significant decline in exhibitors from 800, in 2011, to 675 this year, a general trend over the years.
Trade fairs are marketing events at which the fundamental products and innovations of an industry or sector are exhibited by a variety of companies, exhibitors, targeting interested buyers and industry participants – the visitors.
Trade fairs are usually organised by governments, chambers, industry associations or specialised exhibition companies as a way of creating platforms for business to liase on how best they can plan ahead to maximise profits.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, ROBERT MUGABE, ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR, ZITF
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Sata and Mugabe toast ‘special relationship
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, April 26, 2012, 9:12 am
President Mugabe welcomes President Sata to Zimbabwe
ZAMBIA President Michael Sata declared it was “good to be back home” as he arrived in Harare Wednesday for a state visit during which he will also officially open this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
President Sata was greeted by a 21-gun salute when he landed at Harare International Airport aboard the challenger for a three-day state visit to Zimbabwe. President Sata, accompanied by First Lady Christine Kaseba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Given Lubinda and other senior Government officials, was welcomed by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace.
Others who were at the airport to receive President Sata and his delegation were Zimbabwean Vice-President Joyce Mujuru, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and Zambian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe Ndiyoyi Mutiti.
President Sata also inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Zimbabwean army before he left the airport in the company of President Mugabe.
“I am certain that this visit will afford our two countries yet another opportunity to interact and further consolidate the excellent relations that we enjoy,” Sata said at a state dinner hosted for him by President Robert Mugabe.
Mugabe said the two countries were like siamese twins adding Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle would have been harder without the support of its northern neighbour and the rest of the region.
“You suffered reprisals by the Smith regime because of the support you gave us. Lives were lost in Zambia because of your solidarity with our liberation struggle. In spite of all these actions by the settler regime, Zambia relentlessly supported our struggle,” he said.
“It is this assistance from Zambia and other Frontline States which enables us through the armed struggle to end settler colonialism and bring about independence in Zimbabwe.
“That we are inseparable can be traced back to the old times when our two people traded and shared the great Zambezi River. Then there was the ill-fated Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland which left large numbers of our people on either side of our borders.
“To this day, we have Zambians who have chosen to make Zimbabwe their home, as well as Zimbabweans who have done the same in Zambia.”
The two countries share the premier Victoria Falls resort and are set to co-host the 20th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation next year.
In addition an agreement was recently concluded to develop the US$4 billion Batoka Gorge hydro-power station on their common border which – with a capacity to produce 1,650 megawatts of electricity – would help end Zimbabwe’s perennial power supply problems.
“Such infrastructural projects are the enablers of real and sustainable economic development,” Mugabe said.
“As a matter of fact, this project is as important to our two countries as it is to the whole Southern Africa region which, as you know, is experiencing a critical power deficit.”
President Sata is today expected to visit Zimbabwe’s Heroes Acre where he will lay wreaths on the tomb of a soldier and then he will later visit the Zimbabwean Dairy Board and Tyrone Farm in Goromonzi, about 30 kilometres south-east of Harare.
[NewZimbabwe.com/Daily Mail]
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, ROBERT MUGABE, ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR, ZITF
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Chamber of Mines explains mines’ absence at trade fair
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Monday, July 06, 2009 11:51:39 AM
MINING companies have not attended this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) as they streamline expenditure in view of the collapsed international metal prices, Chamber of Mines of Zambia (CMZ) has explained.
Reacting to concerns that none of the mining companies in the country had exhibited this year at the international trade fair, Chishimba said the absence did not amount to shunning. He said mining companies were no longer exhibiting as individual companies but under the umbrella of the Chamber.
“With difficulties we are facing to normalise our operations, we have to rationalise our expenditure,” Chishimba said.
“You remember that this year, we exhibited at the Copperbelt Mining and Agriculture show which had a theme much closer to our hearts…we were able to marshal ourselves and exhibited as one under the umbrella of the Chamber [CMZ]. We gave it full support.”
Chishimba also said the international trade fair was more of a trade show than actual mining.
“But we are not shutting the doors permanently…we are learning to walk before we run. We just want to rationalise our expenditure,” said Chishimba. “We have not really shunned the show as we are looking at participating in the future.”
Labels: CHAMBER OF MINES, ZITF
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Financial meltdown hits insurance sector
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Ndola
Sunday, July 05, 2009 4:28:04 PM
ZSIC Group of Companies managing director Irene Muyenga has said the insurance industry is feeling the pains of the global financial meltdown. And commerce minister Felix Mutati said the government would this year implement reforms that would reduce business licences from 517 to 290 under the first phase.
Speaking during a ZSIC cocktail on Friday evening at the ongoing 44th Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF), Muyenga said firms in the insurance market were finding ways of staying afloat.
“Products in the Life category are becoming increasingly difficult to sell as prospective clients opt to use their income on household goods rather than buy life insurance products,” Muyenga said. “As for general insurance products, we have seen a general decline in the risks being covered as most of the clients opt for the cheapest products or not insure at all in order to reduce costs.”
She said ZSIC Group’s new strategic focus would be targeted at additional investment opportunities in infrastructure with more emphasis on multi-purpose property.
“These will be modeled to include business, leisure, retail and residential space among other ventures,” she said. “In anticipation of this growth, the group has created higher and broader underwriting capacities both internally and externally in conjunction with our reinsurance partners. We also intend to bring the un-insured in the informal sector on board through the provision of micro-insurance. By the term un-insured we refer to the marketeers, bus drivers and conductors, traders, SME’s and many others.”
She said ZSIC planned to set up micro financing and asset and property management companies in the medium term.
“Our ultimate goal is to have the Group listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange by 2011,” said Muyenga.
And Mutati said the reduction on the number of licences would cut by 30 per cent on the compliance costs which stood at K2 trillion.
He also said that K1.3 trillion could be channelled to job creating investments if ZSIC and the pensions funds worked together to unlock their investments.
Labels: FELIX MUTATI, GREAT DEPRESSION II, INSURANCE, IRENE MUYENGA, ZITF, ZSIC
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Exploit trade fairs for business growth
INTERNATIONAL trade fairs are important business platforms for opening up new markets and helping businesses maximise opportunities to become global brands. The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which opened last Tuesday, is one such powerful tool providing the country with a window of opportunity for both local and foreign traders to do business.
We welcome local and foreign exhibitors that are participating at the 49th edition of the ZITF, whose theme is "Made in Zimbabwe for Africa and the World’’. One of the positive developments at this year’s trade fair is the presence of a significant number of local small-to-medium scale businesses that have seized the opportunity to exhibit at the fair.
This should give them the necessary exposure to not only open up new markets but also learn a lesson or two from other exhibitors.
However, this year’s trade fair is taking place against a background of heightened vitriolic attacks on the Government by the country’s detractors.
Speculation had been rife in anti-Zimbabwe Western media during the run up to the trade fair that the event would be cancelled owing to what they described as a "political crisis" precipitated by the March 29 harmonised elections.
The United States and some Western countries led by Britain have stepped up their hostile campaign against the Government in a bid to effect regime change.
But there has been nothing to remotely suggest that the trade showcase would be cancelled or postponed.
The country has succeeded in dispelling the propaganda and we commend the organisers of the trade fair for efficiently preparing for the event.
We do not expect serious exhibitors to take business decisions based on political expediency because ZITF is an apolitical organisation used only as a platform to forge trade links.
Another notable development in ZITF 2008 that has been of grave concern to both exhibitors and visitors was the acute escalation of costs, particularly accommodation.
Service providers, hoteliers in particular had sharply increased their accommodation fees, a development which only serves to scare away exhibitors and visitors from coming to such trade showcases.
We thank the National Incomes and Pricing Commission for moving in swiftly to allow sanity to prevail in the pricing of services.
We cannot at this moment afford to behave in a manner that discourages potential business to come our way when the country is facing serious economic challenges, which have been worsened by unjustified sanctions imposed against the country.
But despite all the efforts to discredit the country, it is pleasing to note that optimism has been high among exhibitors, with quite a good number of them expressing satisfaction with the inquiries they received since the very first day.
Exhibitors normally get out of the trade fair what they put into it, and any exhibitor or business person worth his salt should know that business does not end on the last day of the ZITF.
Indeed, the whole essence of the trade fair is to receive inquiries, be able to follow them up and translate them into concrete business deals.
Our wish, therefore, is for the ZITF to end resoundingly, particularly with yesterday’s befitting official opening of the event by President Mugabe.
Labels: TRADE FAIRS, ZITF
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ZITF shames Zim’s critics, say ministers
Bulawayo Bureau
FOREIGN exhibitors at this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair say they have identified business opportunities that can be exploited in the country despite the obtaining economic problems. In the run-up to the annual trade showcase which began here on Tuesday, speculation was rife in anti-Zimbabwe circles that the event would be cancelled because of the "crisis" that they alleged had engulfed Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the March 29 harmonised elections.
The detractors said the "delay" in the announcement of results of the presidential election would scuttle efforts to attract both local and foreign exhibitors, forcing the Government and ZITF to cancel the premier international trade event.
However, organisers went ahead with the fair with 565 exhibitors — 544 of them local and 21 foreign — taking part in this year’s event.
Hordes of foreign buyers and travel agents have also descended on the ZITF grounds for a specialised exhibition, A’Sambeni Africa Tour and Travel, which has become the second most important tourism exhibition in Zimbabwe after Travel Expo.
In separate interviews at the trade fair, the Minister of Industry and International Trade, Cde Obert Mpofu, and the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, said the turnout by foreign exhibitors had rendered futile, the diplomatic offensive launched against Zimbabwe by Britain and its Anglo-Saxon allies.
"The fears that the trade fair would not be held were coming from our detractors, the prophets of doom. We have seen foreign and local exhibitors coming out to exhibit at the fair and this is a slap in the face of those detractors," Cde Mpofu said on Tuesday after touring stands at ZITF.
Cde Nyoni made similar remarks yesterday.
"I know that our enemies were saying we would postpone the fair. What they did not realise is that as Government, we are keen to promote business because it has a direct link with the livelihood of the people.
"Why then would we postpone such a thing? It is just that some people want to politicise virtually everything," she said.
"We have both foreign and local companies at the ZITF out to do business and that’s as it should be."
Foreign exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the event and the business contacts and deals that they were forging.
In an interview on Tuesday, the first secretary for economic affairs at the Zambian Embassy in Zimbabwe, Ms Dyriss Kabwita, said eight companies from her country were displaying their products at the embassy’s stand.
"People have expressed interest in buying sugar, cooking oil and medicines, which apparently are in short supply here," she said.
Ms Kabwita said despite economic challenges that Zimbabwe was facing, some Zambian companies continued to invest and do business in the country.
"We are not just looking at the present but also focusing on the future. There might be difficulties now, but we know that this is not a permanent situation. The economic situation will improve," she said.
"Zambia and Zimbabwe continue to have trade relations. The cross-border trade activities have increased a lot."
A representative of the Indonesian Embassy at the country’s stand said there was need for more aggressive marketing of ZITF to attract even more companies from Asia.
Following the fallout with Britain, the United States and other Western powers over Zimbabwe’s land reform programme, Government launched the "Look East Policy" to encourage more investment deals and trade relations with Asian countries.
Representatives of Botswana and Malawi embassies have also hailed the way the exhibition has been organised and expressed hope that companies from their countries would be able to clinch business deals at the fair.
Labels: TRADE FAIRS, ZIMBABWE, ZITF
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