By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
THE Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) has invited more local and foreign companies wishing to exhibit at this year’s event to do so before the deadline.

. Hachipuka

ZITF board chairperson Emmanuel Hachipuka said so far only 242 companies have confirmed participation of which 224 were local and 18 were foreign exhibitors.
Mr Hachipuka who was speaking during an exhibitors meeting at the Exporters Hall in the Trade Fair grounds yesterday said the board expects the number of exhibitors to increase.
“We are encouraging more to come and exhibit at this year event because we only have a few that confirmed participation,” he said.
He said May 30, 2015 was the deadline for payment of the participation fees.
Last year, the event attracted 453 companies with 91 foreign exhibitors.
He has since appealed to all exhibitors against  hiring vendors to sell their products during the event being held under the theme ‘Prosperity through Business Reforms and Linkages’.
ZITF general manager Alex Mayeya said management had reinforced security and would not allow vending during the event.
The vendors would however, been allocated stands in the Tom Mtine square.
“This year’s event is different from the past because vending is restricted to the Tom Mtine square and we have engaged the police to stop vending in the Trade Fair grounds,” he said.
Ndola District Commissioner Rebby Chanda who was also in attendance has invited youths that have benefited from the youth empowerment fund to exhibit at the Fair so that other members of the public could learn from them.
“ Our youths should also come here and show case their products and what form of employment that they  have created so far,” he said.
Among some of the notable events that have been lined up during this year’s event include a national boxing championship and music lovers would  be  entertained by both local and a foreign artistes from South Africa.
This year’s Trade Fair  will take place from July 1 to July 7.