More SMEs to exhibit at Sanganai/Hlanganani next year
THE Bulawayo Chamber of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has said it will facilitate for more SMEs to exhibit and showcase their products at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in 2023 so that they can grow their businesses.
The 15th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo this year was bigger and better compared to previous years, while physical attendance returned following a two-year Covid19-induced break, which saw past editions being held virtually. Commending the highly subscribed Expo, Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs vice-chairperson Ms Sithabile Bhebhe said it was an eye opener for SMEs that attended.
“It was a very exciting expo that brought the city alive. We managed to organise for a few SMEs to exhibit at the event and showcase their products to local and regional exhibitors as well as to international buyers and media.
“However, we discovered that more SMEs also wanted to exhibit so we will try to ensure that more will get the opportunity to showcase their products next year,” said Ms Bhebhe.
She said from the feedback that they received from the SMEs, potential clients were mainly interested in art and crafts products. Ms Bhebhe said their goal was to assist SMEs and ensure their products are high quality so that they can also tap into international markets.
As SME in the service and hospitality sector, Ms Sibongile Nkala said the Expo provided them with a platform to market their products to a wider and diverse populace. She said networking and engagement opportunities at the Expo allowed their small businesses to broaden their clientele base not only of locals from other provinces but as well as foreigners who attended the Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo this year.
ZNCC Matabeleland Chapter chairman Mr Mackenzie Dongo said this year’s expo was a real success to many of their membership as they managed to establish more contacts and more business promises.
Over 270 exhibitors, including 30 foreign firms participated at the expo this year, which was more than anticipated by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA). Six African countries exhibited. These include South Africa, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and Malawi. South Africa had the largest number of exhibitors at 10, followed by Mozambique with seven.
In addition, all 10 provinces in the country were equally represented and about 100 registered buyers came through. Some of the buyers were from Germany, the United Kingdom, United States of America, the Middle East, Australia and India.