The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company has lined up an array of high-profile business conferences at this yearʼs edition that seeks to unlock the countryʼs economic growth opportunities.

Over the years, ZITF has been shiing focus to national branding and economic diplomacy over and above hosting high-level conferences during the exhibition as it positions itself to be a leading platform in facilitating investment.

The trade showcase has been introducing high-level business conferences that attract top business executives on the African continent and beyond.

This year, the long-running International Business Conference (IBC) hosted in conjunction with the National Economic Consultative Forum which has become a flagship platform will lead the host of other conferences.

ZITF company board chair, Mr Busisa Moyo said in keeping with industryʼs expectations for a platform that delivers constructive engagements, useful insights and invaluable networking opportunities, a deliberate eort has been made to curate value adding content and networking events around ZITF 2023.

“The three exclusive business days, that is 25 to 27 April, will see ZITF host the following concurrent activities, 26 April – ZITF International Business Conference hosted by ZITF in conjunction with the National Economic Consultative Forum.

“Held under the main ZITF theme, the ZITF IBC will focus on evaluating Zimbabweʼs innovation standing in terms of regional and global competitiveness, sharing insights on the innovation opportunities available as well as mapping the way forward for a globally competitive Zimbabwe,” he said.

Vice President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga will deliver a keynote address as he engages with local and foreign exhibitors at the International Business Conference.

Key highlights of the forum include Globalisation: Celebrating Zimbabweʼs Success and Unlocking Economic Growth, Opportunities, exploring capital markets as a source of Investment Resources for industrialisation and Zimbabweʼs Trade Climate: Overview and Sector-Specific Export Strategies to enhance Competitiveness.

The Business Leaders Roundtable thrust would be on Leveraging Zimbabweʼs Competitive Advantages for Global Market Participation.

A panel discussion is expected to focus on Economic Dominance: A Product of Transformative Innovation.

Over 600 delegates are expected to attend the conference which has a powerful speaker line-up consisting of Government, academia, development as well as private and public sector representatives.

According to Mr Moyo, some of the other confirmed speakers include representatives from the European Union, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, African Development Bank (AfDB), Zimbabwe Development Agency (ZIDA), ZimTrade, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) and Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC).

Workers put final touches ahead of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Exhibition starting today in Bulawayo

Another engagement is the second edition of the Connect Africa Symposium on Thursday set to be held under the theme “Unlocking Africaʼs Potential: Innovation, Competitiveness and Sustainable Development.”

The symposium, which is expected to be attended by over 300 delegates from across the region, will also be headlined by Vice President Chiwenga.

Experts from various fields, from business and finance to technology and entrepreneurship are set to oer diverse perspectives on what African countries need to do to become competitive in the global market.

According to the programme, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretary general, Mr Wamkele Mene, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe economic advisor, Mr Ojijo Odhiambo, representatives from New Partnership for Africaʼs Development (NEPAD) and the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce are due to attend.

Foreign Aairs and International Trade Minister, Ambassador Frederick Shava, Industry and Commerce Minister, Dr Sekai Nzenza and Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka who is the Zimbabwe Convenor for New Partnerships for Development (NEPAD) are also listed as key speakers.

On April 27, the ZITF Diplomatʼs Forum organised in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Aairs and International Trade will run under the theme, “Craing a Global Landscape of Resilience and Innovation: Strategies for International Competitiveness.”

The engagement will bring together businesses, governments and international institutions with the aim of expanding access to a global exchange of ideas and knowledge.

The Forum will also increase cooperation for strong national alliances and promote the breadth and quality of investment opportunities in and around Zimbabwe.

ZITF Company workers spruce up the area around the exhibition centre in Bulawayo yesterday

Over 200 members of the diplomatic corps, development body representatives as well as business leaders are expected to be in attendance.

Another gathering is the ZNCC Business Luncheon – a platform for business leaders to engage policy makers on the cooperation modalities necessary for a free flow of business in the region and endeavour to lay down a sustainable path towards economic growth.

The ZITF 2023 Charity Golf Challenge powered by Old Mutual will be held at the Bulawayo Golf Club, and will enable participants to network, share ideas and opportunities in business and give back to the local community, o the exhibition floor.

The exhibition will also centre on the youth in the discourse of innovation and global competitiveness through youth-focused programming such as the ZITF Innovatorsʼ Forum which will be held under the theme, “Industry 4.0: Unlocking the Potential of Transformative Innovation for Global Competitiveness.” Innovations from across four thematic tracks, namely, Agriculture, Energy, ICTs, and the Informal Sector, will be spotlighted during the Pitch and Hackathon Competitions.

Presentations are expected from the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), Lupane State University, Innovation for Africa, Girls in STEM Trust, Elevate Trust, and UmojaLands (a past ZITF Innovators Forum winner who has since commercialised).

The Aʼsambeni Africa Business Tourism Expo which spotlights Zimbabwe as a premier destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and events is also on. Herald.