Simbarashe Mtembo
MIRROR REPORTER
MASVINGO – A public/private sector partnership is launching Masvingo Business Expo to woo investment into the province and the first event will take place in the Ancient City on November 17 and 18, 2022.
The event was confirmed to The Mirror by the organizing committee’s vice chairman, Andrew Chekani who is also N. Richards director for Southern Region.
The exhibition will take place at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo and at least 150 exhibitors are expected to showcase at the expo, Chekani who is also Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) chairman for Masvingo said.
The business expo whose theme is Masvingo Investment Hub towards vision 2030; has several objectives and the main one is to showcase investment opportunities available in the province and woo investments in order to grow the economy.
“We are the people of Masvingo and it is best for us to work towards the business growth of our province as a whole. We should do that by marketing Masvingo is a good investment destination. Opportunities should be marketed locally, regionally and globally,” said Chekani.
The business expo will also provide a platform for interaction, to build synergies and unity of purpose, added Chekani.
There are plans to make the expo an annual event.
Business entities and organisation involved in the organisation of the expo are ZNCC, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), several Government departments and other private sector members.
Chekani said that the expo is the brain child of Clever Chingwaru, the Provincial Director of Economic Affairs and Investments and it is him who brought the idea to the other partners resulting in the initiative. Chingwaru is the chairman of the Expo’s organising committee.
“We have invited investors and exhibitors from other provinces and the diaspora through our different organisations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
“Exhibition stands for Small to Medium Entrepreneurs (SME)s are US$100 while other business players will pay US$500. This is to accommodate the growing business sector and the proceeds will be used to foot the expo bills. This is not a profit making expo,” said Chekani.