Premier business showcase, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is set to return in July following approval from the government.
The show was last held in 2019 and could not be held in 2020 due to Covid-19 induced lockdown.
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair is one of the shows that usually boost the affairs of the hospitality industry in Bulawayo.
On normal days, the show can fill up every accommodation in the city of kings and queens as it hosts local and international buyers, business leaders and exhibitors, among others.
In a statement, ZITF Company chairman Busisa Moyo confirmed that the show will return this year but in the second half of the year.
‘’The ZITF Company board and management wish to advise all stakeholders that His Excellency President E.D, Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe has approved the hosting the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair from 20th to 23 rd July 2021.
‘’We are grateful to our parent ministry, Ministry of Industry and Commerce for working tirelessly in this regard. The ZITF Company wishes to officially inform its various stakeholders of the new dates as we all start the preparations for the multisectoral event.
‘’The exhibition will be held under the theme, ‘Showcasing The New Normal for Business & Industry: Realities and Opportunities,’’ Moyo said.
It will however remain to be seen if the showcase will manage to attract foreign exhibitors this year as most countries are currently restricting movement, especially to Southern Africa due to the South Africa Covid-19 variant.
Trade Fair as it is affectionately called by exhibitors and buyers alike, also promotes tourism business under the banner of Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). Zimbabwe is said to be a lucrative market for MICE business owing to the availability of exhibition and conference facilities such as the ZITF Grounds (Bulawayo), Exhibition Park (Harare), Harare International Conference Centre, Sango Conference, Great Indaba (Crown Plaza), Elephant Hill Hotel (Victoria Falls), Kingdom Hotel (Victoria Falls) among others.-