Story by Owen Mandovha

ZIMBABWE is expected to benefit immensely from hosting the World Tobacco Africa Expo in Harare next week, the first time the mega event is taking place in the country.

It is the largest gathering of key players in the global multi trillion dollar tobacco industry including representatives from all tobacco producing nations in the world.

Next week over 500 delegates will attend the World Tobacco Africa Conference in Harare, the first time Zimbabwe is hosting the mega event in its century long tobacco producing history.

“This is the first time this event is taking place in Zimbabwe whereby the who is who in tobacco industry will attend. We are also expecting international exhibitors to showcase modern tobacco processing trends. It will be an ideal moment to create synergies with key industry players,” said Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chairperson, Mr Patrick Devenish.

Mr Devenish added the illustrious provides a perfect opportunity to further transform the country’s tobacco industry.

“Zimbabwe’s premium leaf tobacco is the most sought after in the world hence we need to maximise on that hence bringing the conference here in Zimbabwe is a tremendous opportunity to move towards achieving a US$5 billion dollar tobacco industry set by government,” he added.

Zimbabwe ranks number six in the global tobacco production rankings but remains the top producer in Africa.

However, government has proposed robust measures to transform the sector which include promoting value addition in order to increase export earnings.