Zim firms ready for BOCCIM Northern Fair

Fraser Mpofu
Correspondent | Thursday May 14, 2009 00:00

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce's (ZNCC) Matabeleland Region has started registering Zimbabwean companies that will exhibit at the show, according to its spokesman, Bulisani Ncube.

Ncube said the ZNCC aims to bring 30 firms to exhibit at the fair, twice last year's figure.
'The Victoria Falls Municipality is among the 10 prospective exhibitors who have registered,' Ncube said. 'As I said early this year, our target is to have 30 Zimbabwean companies exhibiting at the show, up from 15 who took part last year. So far we have 10, but we believe we will reach our target.'

Zimbabwean companies, especially those based in Western Matabeleland Region, have partcipated in the BOCCIM Northern Trade Fair. Botswana companies have in turn participated in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which is held annually in Bulawayo.

Ncube said although the number of prospective exhibitors appears low relative to the ZNCC's target of 30, he believes more will register, considering the interest generated in the Botswana show among local companies and the fact that the Zimbabwean economy is showing signs of recovery.

He said for most of April, the ZNCC was concentrating on mobilising support for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and is now putting a lot of effort in mobilising its members for the Botswana fair.

He added that the companies that have confirmed participation represent the entire spectrum of the economy, including manufacturing and tourism. While the Zimbabwean economy is not yet out of the woods, he said, the new free market economic policy that also seeks to stimulate exports will continue to encourage local firms to reach out to export markets in the SADC region and beyond.

By March, the ZNCC had secured an exhibition stand big enough to accommodate 30 companies. The ZNCC has relaxed the registration requirements for prospective exhibitors at the Northern Trade Fair. Potential participants are being allowed to pay registration fees in instalments.