183 firms book for Mine-Entra expo

Business Reporter
PREPARATIONS for this year’s mining, engineering and transport (Mine-Entra) exhibition are now at an advanced stage with 6,385 square metres of the exhibition space sold compared to last year’s total of 4,414 square metres.

The expo, which is organised by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company, is in its 23rd year running and runs from October 10 to 12.

ZITF Company board chairperson, Ms Ruth Ncube, said Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, would open the expo on October 11.

“Currently the exhibition space is sitting at 6,385sqm of space sold, compared to 4,414sqm sold at last year’s show. The space sales represent 93 percent of space made available for sale,” she said.

“Based on an overwhelming interest in the event, supplementary exhibition space has been availed with an additional exhibition hall being opened and more external sites being put to use.”

A total of 183 companies have booked exhibition space and the figure compares favourably to last year’s closing total of 153 direct exhibitors.

Ms Ncube said foreign exhibitor numbers were up from one country last year to three countries in 2018.

“These countries will be represented by individual companies from China (five), Japan (one) and South Africa (two).

Foreign companies will display mining equipment and chemicals…said Ms Ncube. The specialised expo runs under the theme, “Mineral Beneficiation: Catalyst for Economic Growth” and is set to put a strategic focus on the country’s minerals industry.

“This positive response is testament to the fact that more companies are recognising Mine-Entra as the most important international business-to-business meeting point for the mining and related industries in Zimbabwe and that any serious player in the market needs to take advantage of the opportunities being proffered by the show,” Ms Ncube said.

This year’s expo will see exhibiting companies having a varied product mix, which includes engineering equipment, fittings and accessories, building and construction, chemicals, education and training; hydraulic and lifting equipment; mining seismology; transport, signage and labelling equipment, insurance services and protective wear.

“Concurrent events running alongside the exhibition include Women in Mining Conference and the Young Professionals Forum on the first day of the show. The Mine Entra Conference and official opening cocktail will be held on the second day while the Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners’ Conference and Mine Entra Charity Golf Tournament will be held on October 12,” Ms Ncube said.

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