IRAN will not be participating at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) where 16 countries are expected to exhibit at the annual trade showcase.
Report by our staff
The 2010 ZITF was officially opened by Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with companies from the Persian country dominating the show. More than 40 companies exhibited in halls three and four.
The dominance of Iranian companies was hailed by Zanu PF who said this showed close ties between the two countries. The MDCs were against Ahmadinejad’s visit to Zimbabwe. ZITF chairman, Bekithemba Nkomo confirmed Iran is not exhibiting at this year’s ZITF.
He however said despite the absence of Iran, 95% of exhibition space had been taken up.
“Iran is not participating this year. All is now in place for the trade fair to commence and as we speak, we are now in the final stages of selling exhibition space. Ninety-five percent of the space has been taken so far, and we hope to sell the remaining 5%,” Nkomo said on Wednesday.
Last year, 94% of exhibition space was taken up.
This year’s ZITF runs from April 23 to 27 under the theme Building Value, Enhancing Growth. It will be officially opened by Malawian President, Joyce Banda.
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South Africans are this year’s biggest exhibitors, ZITF’s incoming general manager, Nomathemba Ndlovu said.
South Africa is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner. China was the largest exhibitor in 2012.
“South Africa has booked the largest exhibition space after taking up 800 square metres up from last year’s 400. China has maintained its 600 square metres that it had taken up last year,” Ndlovu said.
