SMEs stake claim at trade extravaganza
Expanding horizons
Zeengaz and Biomix were among the eight small business enterprises to exhibit their products at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo courtesy of the national trade development and promotion organisation — ZimTrade.
ZimTrade selected these SMEs on account of their product excellence and potential for penetrating the export market.
The SMEs were drawn from the food processing, cosmetics, custom-made furniture, leather and leather products sectors.
Also exhibiting under the ZimTrade banner were Balzer Trading, a manufacturer of custom indoor and outdoor furniture, Bee Honey Company a Bulawayo based supplier of honey, propolis and pollen.
Essential Delights, manufacturers of baobab fruit-based beverages, Moreda, manufacturers of leather bags, wallets, sandals and belts, Nature’s Cabin, who manufacture premium quality natural personal care products and Pelmet Trading, who make teak furniture for domestic and industrial use, also exhibited at the ZimTrade pavilion.
They comprised youth and women-led enterprises. As a result, the ZimTrade pavilion at ZITF attracted swarms of visitors eager for a taste of banana chips or a mawuyu juice. Others craved a feel of the custom-made home furniture produced from waterproof teak.
In an interview after touring the ZimTrade pavilion, Foreign Affairs an International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava said facilitating the integration of SMEs into the export market was a priority.
“The SMEs under the wings of ZimTrade are very encouraging,” said Amb Shava.
“We have young men and women who are involved in a lot of economic activity throughout the country.
“They are making products that are not only for sale on the local market but are export-ready.
“They have one exhibitor here who told me that they have an order of 100 tonnes of honey for export.
“SMEs have a part to play in driving exports; they are not only creating employment for our young men and women but
creating value.”
ZimTrade chief executive Mr Allan Majuru said the SMEs were being equipped with skills to prepare them for penetrating the export market.
The initiative, said Mr Majuru, was capacity building tool targeting budding enterprises endowed with the potential to export their products.
“What we normally do for every trade fair is that we bring in SMEs as a form of capacity building, but also as a vehicle for exposure,” said Mr Majuru.
“This is so that when we go with them to other fairs outside the country, they know
what to do.
“If you look at the representation we have here, we have SMEs from all over the country.
“We are trying to make sure that all the provinces are well represented.
“For us this is not only export development but export promotion at the same time.”
He said when the SMEs are eventually weaned off, they are capable of participating at global trade shows.
“We also equip them with negotiating skills as well as presentation skills, because branding matters,” he added.
“You might have a good product but if the branding is off, no one will buy.”
For Zengeni, the opportunity to participate at the ZITF was potentially life-changing and an omen of the good things to come.
He said: “I am hopeful that having participated at the ZITF I have created so many linkages with businesspeople from all over.
“Participating here means there is now scope to expand and hopefully start reaping the rewards of all the hard work I have put in over the last two years.
“From now going forward, my family will not lack anymore.”