THE harmonised elections to be held on July 31 are set to affect the performance of this year’s mining, engineering and transport exhibition, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) chairman Bekithemba Nkomo has said.
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The 2013 exhibition, Mine Entra, runs from July 24 to 26 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.
The country is expected to hold watershed elections on July 31.
“The election talk is going to affect the Mine Entra in the same it way affects any other business,” said Nkomo. “As you may be aware, exhibitions such as the Mine Entra and the ZITF are really a mirror of what is happening in the country.”
Nkomo however said the preparations were going on well and more than 5 800 square metres of exhibition space had been booked by last week.
“Preparations for Mine Entra 2013 are now at an advanced stage. 70% of space set aside for the exhibition has been taken with over 5 800 square metres of exhibition space booked so far,” he said. “This figure compares favourably against the 6 000 square metres sold at this time last year.”
Nkomo said of the space sold to date, 82% had been booked by returning exhibitors adding that they were also expecting a good number of foreign participants.
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“Foreign participation is encouraging with representation from the People’s Republic of China, Germany and South Africa. A good mix of mining, engineering, and transport products and services will be on show including heavy engineering, conveyors, rubber products, electrics and electronics as well as pumps and other equipment,” he said.
“For the first time, building and construction will be featured in Hall 3 in addition to other support services to the mining industry such as banking, security, insurance, electronics and customs clearing.”
Nkomo said efforts were also being made to ensure artisanal and small-scale mining companies were well-represented at Mine Entra.
Nkomo said the Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Council were organising a conference to run during the Mine Entra. The 2013 Mine Entra will be officially opened on July 25.
