Zim open for business mantra charms investors

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s mantra that Zimbabwe is open for business has charmed foreigners, with delegates at the just-ended International Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Berlin, Germany, eager to know more about Zimbabwe’s agricultural produce.

Zimbabwe had minimum representation at Fruit Logistica, a conference that is held once a year in Germany, where those in the fresh produce trade meet to market their products and exchange notes.

Fresh produce farmer from Gweru, Mr Tatenda Karimazondo who attended the fair with two ZimTrade officials told The Herald that he was exposed to what the European market wants from Zimbabwean farmers, which he hopes to implement at his farm and generate the much-needed foreign currency through exports.

Mr Karimazondo implored Zimbabwe to invest in a stand at next year’s expo set for February 6 to 8 and take advantage of the new political dispensation, which has excited the world.

“When I was walking there because of the new dispensation that has happened in our country, if you say you are from Zimbabwe there was a keen interest to hear what you are all about and what are you offering,” he said.

“The saying that we are open for business has really excited the foreign markets, but it was going to be easy if we managed to have our stand as a country, we should have a stand displaying what farmers produce in Zimbabwe.

“Imagine marketing Zimbabwe to more than 100 000 people by yourself. We need to have a stand for Zimbabwe, which is easily recognised.”

Mr Karimazondo, who has been attending the expos for some time now, said the problem with local farmers was that they were not exposed to the demands of the foreign markets, which will help them make profit from their produce.

“The problem is that farmers have not been exposed, they do not even know what to grow, who to sell, they do not have that insight and having representatives at such expos will help,” he said.

“Luckily, this time I attended with two ZimTrade officials, one thing that I pointed to them is the need to have our own stand as Zimbabwe, it is a conference that is held once every year for three days, for all buyers and suppliers to be meeting therefore you will be having stands for a number of countries.”

The expo was graced by over 3 000 exhibitors and more than 76 000 visitors, which included buyers, agents, sellers and farmers.