BAD ROADS TO AFFECT TRADE FAIR ATTENDANCE - CHIBWE
THE bad state of the roads in Ndola is one of the challenges, which exhibitors and show goers at this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) will have to endure when coming to the show, Ezra Chabula Chibwe has said.
Mr Chibwe, the ZITF chief executive officer said the Trade Fair management is worried about the bad state of the roads in Ndola because exhibitors and show goers would be subjected to driving on bad roads which would end up creating unnecessary congestion
Mr Chibwe was speaking at the weekend during a media briefing at the Trade Fair grounds where he announced rules and guidelines on the media awards aimed at strengthening the relationship between the media and his institution.
This year’s ZITF is themed: “Unlocking Economic Potential through Collaboration and Partnership.”
He said, apart from the issue of bad state of roads, the Trade Fair was also looking at moving from the manual way of selling tickets to digital and also looking at working on the dilapidated infrastructure in the Trade Fair ground
“We have a number of challenges as we step up preparations for this year’s show and one of the challenges is the bad state of the roads in Ndola. This is a big challenge, but it is beyond our control, there is nothing much we can do.”
“We are worried about the bad state of the roads in Ndola because exhibitors and show goers in general will be subjected to driving on bad roads. The bad state of roads also contribute to congestion,” Mr Chibwe said
Mr Chibwe also said about 500 local exhibitors have so far confirmed their participation at this year’s Trade Fair and that the number of exhibitors was expected to go beyond last year’s 1, 000
“Last year, 2023 we had 1, 000 exhibitors and up to 80, 000 people passed through the Trade Fair gates. We are hopeful that this year’s show will exceed last year’s numbers. So far 500 exhibitors have confirmed their participation,’’ he said
Mr Chibwe also said the 2024 Trade Fair will seek to unlock economic potential through collaboration and partnership for economic growth and provide an opportunity for information and knowledge sharing among various experts and captains of industry.
“The Trade Fair was poised to be even bigger, as it was envisaged that it will bring more value to exhibitors. The focus for the show will be business, creating opportunities for our exhibitors to have meaningful, Business to Business meetings and discussions during the forums that will translate to business opportunities,” he said.
He said the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform where manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and end-users of various products and services can network and create mutual linkages.