Sixteen Zimbabwean businesses are showcasing their products at Mozambique’s largest exhibition, which kicks off today in Maputo.
The Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM), running from August 26 to September 1, presents a valuable opportunity for Zimbabwean companies to connect with prominent buyers in Mozambique, aiming to boost trade relations between the two neighboring nations.
Participating businesses represent various sectors including processed foods, building and construction, fast-moving consumer goods, clothing and textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering, packaging, furniture, and agricultural inputs and implements.
This marks Zimbabwe’s second appearance at the fair, facilitated by ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion agency, aligning with President Mnangagwa’s economic diplomacy agenda focused on leveraging the country’s strong foreign relations to unlock business opportunities.
ZimTrade CEO, Mr. Allan Majuru, emphasized that Zimbabwe’s participation at FACIM is a vital step toward narrowing the gap between local producers and regional market buyers.
“President Mnangagwa has emphasized the importance of strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Mozambique, recognizing it as a key regional partner. The involvement of Zimbabwean exporters at FACIM is consistent with this economic diplomacy strategy and is expected to open new avenues for long-term partnerships with Mozambican and international buyers,” Mr. Majuru stated.
He also noted that FACIM offers local companies a significant opportunity to benefit from Zimbabwe’s improved international relations, achieved through the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement efforts.
Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, Zimbabwe has made considerable progress in repairing and enhancing its diplomatic ties with neighboring countries, including Mozambique. This re-engagement strategy is central to Zimbabwe’s foreign policy, aimed at reintegrating the country into the global economy and building mutually beneficial trade partnerships.
“The participation of Zimbabwean companies at FACIM is a direct outcome of the Government’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives to position Zimbabwe as a key player in regional and global supply chains. By showcasing their products on regional platforms, these companies are promoting Zimbabwe’s export potential and reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional cooperation,” Mr. Majuru added.
This participation builds on the momentum from the recent Tete Outward Seller Mission, organized by ZimTrade, where Mozambican buyers showed a growing preference for Zimbabwean products, reflected in the significant increase in trade between the two countries.
According to Zimstat, Zimbabwe’s exports to Mozambique doubled in 2023, rising from approximately US$190.4 million in 2022 to US$397.7 million.
Mr. Majuru highlighted that Zimbabwean companies at FACIM are well-positioned to leverage this upward export trend by introducing a wider variety of products to the Mozambican market.
“With the positive feedback from the Tete Outward Seller Mission and the doubling of our exports to Mozambique, Zimbabwean companies are well-prepared to capitalize on this momentum. FACIM offers an ideal platform to introduce a broader range of products to meet the evolving demands of the Mozambican market,” he said.
To optimize opportunities for participating companies, ZimTrade has organized business-to-business meetings between these companies and key buyers from leading Mozambican distributors and retailers, scheduled to take place alongside the trade fair. These meetings are designed to help participants forge valuable connections and explore potential partnerships.
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