Shared vision needed to turnaround Zim
Are a hardworking and competitive people by nature and it is high time we unite towards a shared national goal as we have more in common than differences. Online trade fairs gateway to export markets
WE need a common vision anchored on self-belief, unity of purpose and a desire to migrate to a new era of shared growth and prosperity and ending inequalities and poverty.
Zimbabwe cannot achieve Vision 2030 without all of us buying into this progressive national vision — from the country’s leadership to the ordinary man and woman across the country.
For Zimbabwe to achieve Vision 2030, bedrocked on attainment of an upper middle-class economy as propounded by President Mnangagwa, it needs visionary leadership in all sectors — be it politics, business, civic society, community, religious sector, traditional leaders, sport and so on.
We need a leadership across the nation that is dedicated, selfless, accountable, disciplined, innovative and results oriented.
We need a servant leadership that is willing to unconditionally serve its people and transform our beloved country into prosperity.
Resource base
Zimbabwe has a strong resource base, which is a “good head start” and strong leverage to build a rich and prosperous country.
God has blessed Zimbabwe with abundant resources, some of which are mentioned below:
◆ Minerals: forty (40) different types of minerals. Zimbabwe has one of the richest diamond deposits in the world, second largest platinum reserves (after South Africa) and significant deposits of gold, chrome, nickel, coal and natural gas, among others.
◆ Human capital: a population with a high literacy rate of 95 percent, coupled with a strong educational system that provides skilled human capital needed for driving economic development. ◆ Wildlife: abundant wildlife resources, which include the big five (lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard), natural wonders (Victoria Falls, Nyanga, Vumba).
◆ Climate: good and predictable climate. ◆ Land: 10 490 square kilometres of arable land suitable for commercial agricultural production.
◆ Land Reform: programme successfully addressed the skewed colonial land tenure system through transfer of land to the indigenous people thereby securing the people access and control of the key resource and means of production. ◆ Indigenisation: black economic empowerment policy ( if properly applied) lays the foundation for creation of an inclusive economy that empowers and enables all people to participate/play an active role in economic development.
◆ Diaspora: Zimbabwe’s diaspora population is estimated between 2,5 and 3,5 million which is capable of providing enormous financial and human capital resources and networks for the development of the country. ◆ Constitution: a progressive Constitution based on equality of all people and safeguarding of human rights for all Zimbabweans.
◆ Peace: a peace loving, hardworking and
competitive people by nature.
Blame game
Despite these abundant resources, why do we find ourselves facing economic and social hardships we are currently experiencing?
The country has sufficient natural and human resources needed to create a vibrant inclusive economy that can uplift the living standards of all its people in line with the President’s blueprint, Vision 2030.
Why we are failing to create this vibrant inclusive economy that we all want is because we are deeply divided as a nation and not sharing a common vision.
The polarisation in our politics and society is dragging us backwards as a nation.
We are also suffering from a blame game syndrome which we deliberately inflicted on ourselves as a nation.
We are quick and good at blaming something for our own failures — we even blame
As the platform will be tailor-made to accommodate virtual meetings, it is envisaged that it will provide an alternative access to markets where physical trade fairs and exhibitions have been suspended.
It is highly recommended that Zimbabwean companies participate in online exhibitions and trade fairs, as this will ensure they remain in touch with international buyers in this new normal.
Covid-19 has made it possible for us to realise that “distance is past” and the new normal is that events can take place remotely.
There are several advantages that make virtual exhibitions an ideal solution during this period, which include reduced cost of preparation and participation.
While the future is uncertain, with reduced physical interaction likely going to be the “new normal” throughout this year, it is important for local companies to identify trade fairs and exhibitions that have been migrated to virtual platforms and establish which ones will increase their global market share.
Prior understanding of these virtual events will ensure that participating companies put their time and, in some cases, financial resources to good use.
Below are some examples of events that have adopted a virtual component to augment efforts that are targeted at improving engagements between sellers and buyers.
Intra-African Trade Fair
The second continent-wide trade fair was scheduled to take place from September 1 to 7 this year in Kigali, Rwanda.
However, organisers of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) postponed the event to September 6 to 12, 2021.
Sectors that were earmarked to benefit from the event include horticulture, processed foods, agricultural inputs and implements, information and communication technologies, engineering, arts and crafts, mining supplies, clothing and textiles, as well as leather and leather products.
Given the enthusiasm that had been generated, an all year-round digital networking platform was established to connect buyers and sellers.
The virtual trade fair is expected to take place all year round and a virtual booth costs around US$750/year.
During the inaugural IATF, which took place in 2018 in Egypt, more than 25 Zimbabwean companies participated.
Participating companies were drawn from arts and crafts, clothing and textiles, processed foods, leather and leather products, agricultural inputs and implements, finance, corporate advisory services and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) sectors.
During the 2018 fair, participating companies recorded 461 business leads and orders worth around US$2,4 million.
The objective of participating in 2018, the moon and the stars.
Yes, external factors have a bearing to problems that we are encountering as a nation, but the blame game will not take us anywhere.
As Zimbabweans we should not be known as a nation of whiners — whining and pointing fingers on others for our shortcomings instead of getting up, dusting ourselves up and working tirelessly for the common good of this great country and for the benefit of future generations.
It is painful to accept this about ourselves but if we are honest, these observations cannot be denied.
There is a Sotho proverb that goes: “The child of a crab walks sideways like his/her mother.”
If we continue with the blame game culture, we risk passing it to our children and future generations, with disastrous outcomes to the development and social transformation of our great country.
History is full of examples of other countries, who faced similar situations and problems like ours, but were able to put aside their differences, unite and work towards a common goal of developing their countries, creating jobs and wealth and uplifting people from poverty.
Until as a nation we self-introspect and which can still be realised through virtual engagements, was to market Zimbabwe’s trade and investment opportunities, generate export orders for the country and promote Zimbabwe as a source market as well as to promote the country as a preferred investment destination.
DRC Mining Week
This is the largest mining and industrial platform in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing together stakeholders and interested businesses from more than 50 countries.
Participants’ objective is to showcase their products and services as well as explore the vast investment opportunities in the country.
The mining sector in the DRC is one of the largest anchors of the economy, supporting an array of mainstream and downstream economic activities.
To support mining activities, the DRC imported mining supplies worth around US$288 million in 2019, according to Trade Map.
The imported supplies in 2019, which include appliances for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, protective footwear and clothing, boring or sinking machinery and parts, and buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for machinery, provide opportunities for Zimbabwean companies.
Previously, participating Zimbabwean companies were able to interact with manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the mining sector, resulting in increased sales of their products and sales.
As a result of participating in this event, one protective clothing company was able to establish a branch in Lubumbashi.
The physical event had been scheduled for June 17 to 19, 2020 but has been postponed to October 7 to 9, 2020.
To keep conversations going and improve business linkages, the organisers have organised a series of virtual seminars, which will take place on original dates until September.
These seminars will provide a platform for local companies to establish initial contact with potential buyers who are expected to participate.
They will also form the basis for further interactions during the physical event in October.
Caminex
Caminex is Zambia’s mining, agricultural and industrial trade expo, which is positioned to increase the presence of Zimbabwean products and services into the country’s mining sector.
According to Trade Map, Zambia’s import bill for mining supplies in 2019 was around US$333 million, with the largest suppliers being South Africa, Japan, China and India.
Given Zimbabwe’s proximity to Zambia, there is room to increase the contribution take responsibility or our own actions, we will remain stuck in the trenches of underdevelopment, inequality and poverty and fail to create the Zimbabwe we all want in line with Vision 2030.
Outlook
We should not be stuck in the past, rather we should learn from it and use it as a compass that guides us on how we can overcome past and current challenges and move our nation forward.
We should look inwards to mobilise Zimbabwean resources that we already have, at home and in the Diaspora, to finance and accelerate our economic transformation and development agenda in line with Vision 2030.
When the going gets tough many Zimbabweans are heard saying “kiya kiya” — loosely translated to mean — “improvise or make do with what is there”.
This idea of settling for second best should be discarded.
Fellow Zimbabweans, we deserve the best and should insist for the best — quality, perfection, excellence, higher standards, good living, happiness and joy, not poverty. of local companies to Zambia’s mining supplies import bill.
The mining activities in Zambia’s Copperbelt region provide opportunities for local companies that can supply products such as safety clothing, fast moving consumer goods, iron and steel products, electric transformers, pumps for liquids, silo maintenance and cleaning services, fruits and vegetables, and processed foods.
Last year, nine companies that manufacture products for the mines, such as engineering products, protective clothing and electrical and security products, participated and showcased their products at this event.
During the three-day event last year, a total of 715 business leads and orders worth over US$400 000 were recorded by participating companies.
This year’s event that was scheduled to take place from June 2 to 4 was postponed to the same month next year. To cover the gap, ZimTrade is organising a virtual event for sector players that will be held later this year.
Plans are also in place to include other sector players in the event so that it covers more products and services that Zimbabwean businesses can supply to Zambia.
Asia Pacific Leather Fair
The edition of the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) — Leather, Materials+ and Fashion Access show, which was initially scheduled for March 31 to April 2 this year, was postponed to March 30 to April 1, 2021.
The APLF is a global trade exhibition covering the leather supply chain from raw, crust, to finished leathers, chemicals, dyes and tanning. It can provide access for local companies into the high import bill of leather in Asia.
According to Trade Map, the Asian continent imported leather and leather products worth around US$59 billion in 2019.
Top importers in Asia, which Zimbabwe enjoys cordial relations with include China, Japan, Singapore, Korea and United Arab Emirates.
On the other hand, the Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) imported leather and leather products worth around US$104 billion in 2019 alone.
To support the industry on maintaining their businesses and staying connected with the community during this difficult period, APLF launched the InTouch initiative in April this year.
InTouch is a virtual sourcing event during which suppliers present their products live in front of viewer’s screen.
Each one hour InTouch event is curated to suit different sourcing requirements of buyers and provides opportunities for “question and answer” sessions, which are key in developing export markets.