By: The hearld online

Businesses in Bulawayo are looking forward to the twin trade showcases, the Mining Engineering and Transport Expo 2025 and the Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Conference and Expo 2025, which are running concurrently from yesterday until Friday.

The events are expected to provide the businesses with opportunities to grow their enterprises and generate the much-needed income.

The expos, running concurrently from Wednesday until Friday at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition and Conference Smart City (ZIECS) in Bulawayo, are expected to draw hundreds of exhibitors and delegates from across the globe, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s position as a regional hub for mining, infrastructure and industrial innovation.

During such events, Bulawayo witnesses a hive of activity as Government officials, local and foreign exhibitors, as well as other sector players, among others, converge on the city. These expos, just like the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) held in April, provide a platform for Bulawayo companies to put themselves on the world map by creating new partnerships and synergies.

In an interview, Bulawayo Chamber of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) vice-chairperson, Ms Sithabile Bhebhe, said such events were a major boost for business in the city.

“Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should take advantage of the Expos just like they do during ZITF to grow their enterprises and generate the much-needed income.

“They should participate where they can and exhibit their products and services,” she said.

She said those in sectors such as the food industry, tourism and transport, among others, should ensure they provide products and services that can help them gain more visibility.

Ms Bhebhe said these provided critical opportunities that can ensure MSMEs contribute to the growth of their businesses and gross domestic product (GDP) of the city as well as the country.

“MSMEs should use these platforms to market their products to a wider and more diverse populace. Local industries in different sectors should promote and get strategic partners for their businesses.”

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland Chapter past vice-president and businessman, Mr Louis Herbst, said such events also promoted infrastructure development and renovations in the city.

“Such Expos are a major boost to the Bulawayo business ecosystem and as a business, we are always optimistic about the benefits we get from them. Complementing ZITF, which is a major boost for our city and country at large, Mine Entra and AfriConfex are key to economic development,” he said.

He encouraged all business players to attend conferences and sideline events that take place during the Expos to establish strategic business ties with local, regional and international business partners.

On accommodation and hospitality, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Bulawayo Chapter Hotels representative, Mr Fungai Mutseyekwa, said players would have a major business boost.

“Some accommodation facilities have received impressive bookings ahead of Mine Entra 2025 and AfriConfex 2025. These events, just like ZITF, play a key role in boosting the province’s economy as well as the tourism sector,” he said.

From a HAZ perspective, he said there was always a strong emphasis on maintaining high standards of service and safety, while tourism players were encouraged to implement best practices in health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of guests and staff alike.

Mr Mutseyekwa, who is also the Sterling Group of Hotels Matabeleland general manager, said tourism players should always prepare well in advance for such events as soon as the calendar of events comes out to ensure they offer up to standard services to their clientele.

President Mnangagwa is expected to officially open Mine Entra 2025 today, while Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona will preside over the AfriConfex official opening on Wednesday.

Held under the theme “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining,” Mine Entra 2025 will focus on sustainability, technology and investment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, a key driver of national economic growth.

AfriConfex 2025, themed “Smart Moves: Powering Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Evolution,” will bring together architects, engineers, urban planners, financiers and policymakers to deliberate on the future of infrastructure development, with an emphasis on climate-resilient and sustainable urban growth.