Zimbabwe: Zimtrade On Mission to Venezuela, Brazil

ZIMTRADE, in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry and International Trade, will lead a trade mission to Brazil and Venezuela in August in an effort to help local companies expand their external markets.

The mission is taking place under the auspices of the National Economic Development Priority Programme (NEDPP). The trade body said there were business opportunities for local companies in the two countries.

Under the new economic blueprint, Government seeks to harness foreign direct investment which will go a long way in restoring stability in the economy by year end.

Brazil offers a huge export and source market for Zimbabwe. The country has a diversified and technologically sophisticated industrial base that includes iron and steel, petroleum and petrol chemicals, biotechnology, industrial and agriculture equipment, electrical and electronic appliances.

Venezuela is a major oil producer, whose major exports include petroleum, bauxite, aluminium, chemicals and steel.

Recently, ZimTrade carried out a marketing survey in Angola to gather information on that market. Angola, which is rebuilding its economy following a 27-year civil war, offers huge business opportunities in building and construction materials, processed foods, footwear, furniture, pharmaceuticals and agricultural equipment.

For the past few years Zimbabwean goods have been finding their way into Angola through South Africa, highlighting the need to establish partnership and trade directly.

Asian countries, notably China, India, South Korea and Vietnam, have proved to be potential lucrative trade and investment partners.

The Zimbabwean delegation will include representatives from the business community headed by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, ZimTrade has appointed Mr Herbert Chakanyuka as its chief executive with effect from next month.

The trade body has been without a substantive chief executive for the past two years after the suspension and eventual dismissal of Mr Freddy Chawasarira in 2004 on allegations of financial indiscipline.

Mr Chakanyuka’s appointment comes at a time when the country’s export performance is below expectations. The chief executive is expected to lead ZimTrade in fulfiling its mandate of facilitating the promotion of the country’s exports.

He holds a Business Studies Honours Degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a Masters in Business Leadership from Unisa, and has vast experience in export business development.

Mr Chakanyuka has worked in different capacities in the export business for CAPS (Pvt) Ltd, Retrofit, Lancashire Steel and Dulux.

He is currently the marketing executive of Tube and Pipe Industries.

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