GABORONE, Botswana – About 30 Zimbabwean companies participating in the Botswana Global Expo, which opened here yesterday, have attracted a lot of attention, with buyers and potential partners seeking to know more about their products.
Zimbabwe is one of the top exhibitors in terms of the size of its pavilion and the number of companies exhibiting a wide range of goods and services.
Trade development and promotion agency ZimTrade has facilitated participation of Zimbabwean companies, including small and medium enterprises, and women-led producers who are eager to enter the export market and contribute more to growing the economy.
Drawn from several sectors of the economy, stands for local companies were a hive of activity yesterday, and staff were kept busy explaining their products.
Carousel, a Bulawayo-based manufacturing division of Edgars Stores Limited, Tanganda Tea Company, Goodhope Leather Products, House of Moringa, Teecherz Home and Office and Codchem (Pvt) Limited, are among the company stands that pulled lots of clients’ attention.
During engagements, potential clients sought clarity about the range of products that Zimbabwe has on offer, costs of exporting and ease of movement at the borders.
Others expressed interest in establishing synergies with Zimbabwean businesses and pledged to do more follow ups with interest in harnessing regional value chains development in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Although Botswana and Zimbabwe enjoy cordial bilateral trade relations, ZimTrade has said there was scope to scale up the trade volumes.
Other participating companies are Moreda Leather Products, Rukanda Pride, Total Farm Solutions, Thandi’s Village, Muruwe Private Limited, OrganiComplex, Bolton Compliance Consultancy Group, National Foods, Pelmet Trading, Surface Wilmar and Almin Industries.
There is also a group of SMEs drawn from the country’s rural industries through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development.
Representing ZimTrade, chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru, during an afternoon business session on trade opportunities between Zimbabwe and Botswana, client advisor Mr Kupakwashe Midzi said there were vast investment and trade opportunities to be explored by businesses from both countries. – The Herald
