By News Editor
The 4th edition of the Beitbridge Business Expo, the premium platform for the commercial community of the border town was an event to remember, punctuated by quality food, games, career guidance, music and dance and an array of diverse exhibitors, it left its mark on Beitbridge’s business calendar.
As the curtain came down, organisers reflected on the growth in quality and quantity of exhibitors promising a bigger and better Expo next year that is likely to be at a new home, the new den of the Beitbridge Expo.
Beitbridge Expo Vice Chairperson Mr Nqobile Ncube said the event had improved both in quality and quantity and are planning an even bigger event fir next year.
“This year we had 90 exhibitors, eight up from last year, we had 5 academic institutions, financial houses, parastatals, we are happy that we have previous exhibitors who are back as they derive value and new players with some requesting expanded space,” he said.
Mr Ncube also said it they are already working towards the next edition of the Beitbridge Expo as they look to prepare the new expanded grounds set to be the official home of the expo tailored to the Gwanda Provincial one and the internationally acclaimed Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF)
“Come next year around this time, we will be introducing you to a vast tract of land which we would have developed in the model of the Gwanda Provincial Show and also modelling on the modernity of the of the ZITF. We are already learning from them, we are already taking notes, we are doing this because the Beitbridge commercial community deserves a chance to market Beitbridge to the outer world.
Guest of honour at the official opening of the Expo Mduduzi Ncube who is the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Matabeleland Regional Manager said the she was impressed by the collaborative spirit which epitomises the Expo.
“We also had the opportunity to engage with His Worship, the Mayor of Musina, and members of his Executive Council. This interaction, along with the Expo’s strategic partnership with the Municipality of Beitbridge, exemplifies the essence of international collaboration, with at least five South African entities exhibiting at this year’s Expo. I must commend the strategic partnership between the Beitbridge Expo and the Municipality of Beitbridge for yielding such impressive results,” she said.
She also encouraged SME’s to leverage on the proximity of the Border and produce quality goods that can tap into the South African market.
“I encourage our SMEs to manufacture high-quality products, leveraging our natural resources, to export to South Africa, just as we import from them. This year’s Expo has attracted a diverse array of participants, including multi-brand corporations, government service providers, parastatals, retail organizations, and civic groups, among others. This broad participation attests to the growing reputation of the Expo and its ability to host a multi-disciplinary event.”
The Beitbridge Expo, in its fourth year running, continues to grow and this year attracted exhibitors from the length and breadth of the Matabeleland South province and sister town Musina of South Africa. The theme for this year’s event was “Beitbridge 24/7”