•ConTRACTORS prepare the trade fair emblem in readiness for lighting to mark the opening of the 52nd Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola today. Picture by CHATULA KANGALI

By Chatula Kangali –

MORE than 500 local and foreign exhibitors are expected at this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) which opens its gates to the public in Ndola today.
This year’s fair, which is the 52nd edition, has recorded the highest  number  of exhibitors in its history at 531.
Of the 531 exhibitors who had confirmed their participation by Press time, 430 were local ones while the remaining 101 were foreign-based.
The trade fair, which commences today and ends on Tuesday next week, has attracted foreign exhibitors  from Botswana, China, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Parkistan, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Last year, the show attracted 520 exhibitors of which 471 were local and 30 were foreign, while a total of K8 million was raised.
Obviously, the organisers expect more revenue from this year’s edition being held under the theme, ‘Enhancing value addition for job creation’.
The trade fair is being held at the time when the country is promoting value addition for economic growth.
Value addition to process products and services is a growth stimulating intervention for business entities and therefore remains a pre – requisite for job creation and positive transformation.
The theme is focused on encouraging market players to undertake business innovations that will enhance value-addition and, therefore, promote business growth.
Compared to the past years, trade fair management has this year done a commendable job in as far as preparations and upgrading of the structure is concerned.
ZITF management has through the Road Development Agency (RDA) tarred the entire road network in the showground and constructed a ring road that will reduce congestion during the event.

alongside the show, ZITF will be hosting business forums intended to provide an opportunity for exhibitors, visitors and audiences to discuss topical issues among themselves and Government.
A multi-sector delegation from China is expected to seek meeting with local entrepreneurs on how best they can create business linkages during the trade fair.
ZITF general  manager Alex Mayeya  said in an interview  that a multi-sectoral  Chinese delegation was  this  week expected  to  be at the show  to seek  meeting  and create  business  linkages with local businesses.
“A number of Chinese experts in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture and other sectors of the economy are expected at this year’s trade fair.
“The delegation wants to have meetings with our local entrepreneurs, they would also help entrepreneurs with knowledge on how to grow businesses,” he said.
Mr Mayeya said  ZITF had  this year  prepared well packaged  seminars which will  see  the  president of World  Angels  Investment  Bay Bar Altunas give a  key  note  speech.
He said Mr Altunas would also offer businesses ideas and collect business proposals from entrepreneurs seeking funds to grow businesses.
He said  there  would  be high level  discussion forum which  would consist of the Zambia Chamber of Commerce  and Industry (ZACCI) Zambia Chamber of Mines(ZCM)  Zambia  Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) and the Industrial Development  Corporation (IDC)  among  others.
Mr Mayeya said despite this year being an election year, trade fair will remain neutral and would not allow political parties to campaign and wear political regalia.
He said management has this year partnered with local security firms as well as local police to ensure that the fair was provided with ample security
This year’s ZITF would host Zimbabwean Music legend Oliver Mutukuzi, Ugandan top female comedian Anne Kansiime and many other foreign and local artists.
Despite the  improvement  made  in hosting  this year’s show, exhibitors  with permanent  stands  should consider modernising theirs.
Some stands have been in existence since trade fair inception and their current state is not impressive.
This  year, the  local   participation  has dropped to  430  from the 470  which  was  recorded last  year  with the number of foreign ones having increased  by over  100  per cent.
To increase local participation at the trade fair, ZITF management should consider reviewing the rates to make them more affordable.
Local entrepreneur’s and manufactures should take this opportunity to learn on how  they  can enhance the value  to  the  locally –produced goods to  create  more  jobs  for  the  locals.
This year’s ZITF would host Zimbabwean Music legend Oliver Mutukuzi, Ugandan top female comedian Anne Kansiime and many other foreign and local artists.
Despite the  improvement  made  in hosting  this year’s show, exhibitors  with permanent  stands  should consider modernising theirs.
Some stands have been in existence since trade fair inception and their current state is not impressive.
This  year, the  local   participation  has dropped to  430  from the 470  which  was  recorded last  year  with the number of foreign ones having increased  by over  100  per cent.
To increase local participation at the trade fair, ZITF management should consider reviewing the rates to make them more affordable.
Local entrepreneur’s and manufactures should take this opportunity to learn on how  they  can enhance the value  to  the  locally–produced goods to  create  more  jobs  for  the  locals.