PREPARATIONS for the Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) 2016 expo are at an advanced stage, with indications that more than 115 direct exhibitors have confirmed participation, an official has said.
The exhibition is set to run from July 20 to 22 under the theme Unearthing Opportunities in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair company chairman, Bekithemba Nkomo said, the theme was appropriate given the tumultuous situation the country was in, where the mining sector faces challenges that include high production costs, reduced earnings, absence of long term finance and depressed opportunities for growth.
“Organisers are now focused on final touch-ups in the culmination of what has been an exciting year-long marketing and sales drive for the exhibition,” he told journalists in Bulawayo at a Press conference yesterday.
“The focus of this year’s show is to offer a platform for engagement and solution-mapping to realise economic growth and development from the extractive industry.”
Nkomo said space bookings to date have been encouraging, with 3 113m² of space having been taken up by a total of 117 direct exhibitors.
However, last year, total space booking was 4 612 from 148 direct exhibitors.
“Exhibition space is still available and we invite all organisations, who may be interested in taking part in the exhibition to get in touch with our marketing team to secure their space,” he said.
Of the 117 exhibitors registered so far, four are foreign exhibitors from China and South Africa, Nkomo said.
“In terms of local participation, 60% of the exhibitors are Harare-based, 35% come from Bulawayo, while the remaining 5% come from other cities within the country,” he said.
Nkomo said 90% of the exhibitors were returning clients, who have exhibited at previous editions of the show.
He said the new exhibitors would add to the variety of products and services already on show, which include mining spares, mineral processing equipment, transformers, protective clothing, protective equipment, seals, bearings and gears, detection and lifting equipment as well as medical aid, insurance and security services.
The show will be officially opened by Mines and Mining Development minister Walter Chidakwa on Wednesday where he is expected to launch a $5 million facility for small scale miners
