Mine Entra 2018 ends on high note

- Local - October 22, 2018
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 By Business Reporter

THE 23rd edition of Zimbabwe’s premier mining trade show, Mine Entra ended on a high note with a 64 percent increase in exhibitors, from 153 recorded in 2017 to 251 exhibitors this year.

Mine Entra is Zimbabwe’s premier mining, engineering, transport, building and construction exhibition.

In a press release, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Marketing and Public Relations Manager Ms. Stella Nkomo said this year’s edition of Mine Entra saw a significant increase in interest from players in the mining and related industries attracting a total of 251 exhibitors showcasing the evolving innovations in the mining industry. This figure represents an increase of 64% exhibitor uptake from last year’s closing total of 153.

“Of the 251 total exhibitors, 225 were direct exhibitors while 26 were indirect exhibitors, that is subsidiaries or partners of a direct exhibitors. 7,280 square metres of space were taken up representing 90.3% of available space (8,080,m2),” she said.

Local participation was up 55% from last year with 234 exhibitors taking part. Of these, 55% of exhibitors came from Harare while 39% came from Bulawayo and the remainder from other cities.

3,017 business visitors attended the exhibition as at lunch time of the last day, compared to last year’s closing total of 3,410. It is expected that final figures will be almost on par.

Four international and regional countries participated at this year’s Mine Entra from China, Japan, South Africa and Zambia, represented by 12 individual companies and 5 subsidiaries.

“The increase in international foreign participation is reflective of a successful national re-engagement strategy targeted at influencing investment in identified key drivers of the Zimbabwean economy,” said Nkomo.

“Of note, was the reported upsurge in international investor interest in Zimbabwe’s extractive industry. Government, represented by the Ministers of Mining & Mining Development, Energy and Power Development, Transport and Infrastructural Development as well as Industry and Commerce, reiterated its commitment to opening up the mineral resources sector and creating a conducive environment for inclusive participation by all its citizenry,” she said.

The quality of exhibits was also quite impressive offering a mix of equipment and services suitable for different sizes of mining operations as well as goods and services for other activities within the mining value chain.

“Popular exhibits included locally-assembled granby cars, underground supervision and transport vehicles, turnkey mining plants for small scale miners, many of which haven’t been seen at the show for a while,” said Nkomo.

Mine Entra ended following 3 days of high-level business networking and engagement during 3 business conferences. Women in Mining Breakfast Conference attracted 220 participants, 130 attendees for the Young Professionals Forum (130 attendees) with the Mine Entra conference being ice on the cake which drew just above 330 delegates. ENDS//

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