Presidents tour stands
PRESIDENT Mugabe and his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob yesterday toured a number of stands showcasing different products at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo.
President Geingob who was guest of honour, officially opened this year’s 58th edition of the premier investment and international trade showcase.
During the tour the two Presidents were accompanied by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Mike Bimha and ZITF general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu.
The two leaders started their tour at the Turnall Holdings stand where they were presented with flower pots made from asbestos by the company’s acting sales and marketing executive, Mr Victor Nyamurova.
The two leaders proceeded to the Grain Marketing Board stand where they toured different products on display before moving to Hall 4 housing embassies and some business enterprises.
In Hall 4, the Presidents toured the ZimTrade stand where a number of companies displayed different products from foodstuffs to clothing.
Presidents Mugabe and Geingob proceeded to tour the Namibian Embassy stand, South African, Japanese, Kenyan and Botswana stands.
The two Presidents proceeded to the United Refineries stand where the company’s chief executive officer Mr Busisa Moyo explained the manufacturing processes of products on display including cooking oil and soap.
Presidents Mugabe and Geingob moved to the Zanu PF Hall where they were welcomed by the party’s secretary for administration Dr Ignatius Chombo.
Inside, they toured the women’s league, the commissariat and the war veterans’ ministry stand where they were welcomed by the Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube.
Rtd Col Dube said President Mugabe briefly explained to his Namibian counterpart the importance of war veterans who sacrificed their lives in the fight for the country’s Independence.
The highlight of the tour was at the Bulawayo Agricultural Society Hall showcasing stand where a variety of farm produce was on display.
President Mugabe demonstrated his vast knowledge of the variety of crops grown in diffferent parts of the the country and passion for agriculture when he took his Namibian counterpart on a tour of the crops on display and in the process telling him the regions where the crops thrive and their different varieties.
The two Presidents concluded their tour at Alpha and Omega, owned by the First family. Inside, President Geingob was shown the variety of products manufactured by the company.