By CHATULA KANGALI –
THE Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) and the Mukuba Hotel have launched their first-ever strategic plans aimed at increasing the viability and profitability of the two institutions.
ZITF strategic plan will run from this year to 2021, its objective is to address the strategic direction and achieve excellence in its multipurpose exhibition.

MWANAKATWE

The strategic plan will also improve the quality of exhibition and build partnerships that respond effectively to the Government development agenda.
The Mukuba Hotel strategic plan which seeks to attract private firms and individuals to invest in the hotel under the Private Public Partnership (PPP), will run from this year to 2019.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe said the two strategic plans would make ZITF and Mukuba Hotel attain excellence in their service delivery.
Ms Mwanakatwe said in a speech read for her by her Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame that the strategic plans would make the two institutions more competitive.
“The coming in of new players in the hospitality industry and specialist exhibition have created stiff competition for Mukuba Hotel and ZITF, as a result, there is need for the two institutions to  remain viable and  innovative in their service delivery,” she said.
Ms Mwanakatwe was speaking during the launch of the two strategic plans at Mukuba Hotel in Ndola yesterday.
She said the improvement in the quality of exhibition by ZITF would drive the country’s economic diversification agenda.
The minister urged ZITF and Mukuba Hotel to ensure that the strategic plans were well-implemented so as to serve their indented purposes.
ZITF and Mukuba Hotel Board chairperson Jane Kabwela said the strategic plans would serve as a transformation management tool for the two institutions.
She said the strategic plan was expected to increase ZITF profits by 10 per cent in the next five years and increase Mukuba Hotel profits by seven per cent by 2019.
Ms Kabwela  said the business environment in the Zambia was changing hence the need for the board  to come with a plan to boost the performance of Mukuba  Hotel and ZITF.
Ndola Deputy Mayor Kennedy Kasaba said the launch of the strategic plans would help the country enhance international trade through quality exhibitions.
Mr Kasaba said the strategic plans would in the end help speed-up the economic growth of the country.