Story by Jonathan Marerwa in Shanghai, China
Zimbabwe’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind has been hailed by local exhibitors showcasing their wares at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in China.
The exhibition is running on the sidelines of the 7th edition of the China International Import and Export (CIIE), underway in Shanghai.
Veteran artist and businesswoman, Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi, who is leading a team of five female exhibitors, said the mantra has enabled once marginalised and less empowered people to take part in various activities that have grown their businesses.
The CIIE, a brainchild of President Xi Jingping, was inaugurated in 2018 and has the key functions of international procurement, investment promotion, cultural exchange, and open co-operation.
Ndebele-Sibindi paid tribute to Zimbabwe’s national trade development and promotion organisation, Zimtrade, which facilitated their participation at this edition of the CIIE, saying it has given local exhibitors a chance to market various art and craft wares that are uniquely found in the country.
She revealed that most of the wares on sale at their stand are made by and belong to artists from the southern regions of the country and she sells them on their behalf since most of them have no capacity to travel to regional and international fairs and expos.
Ndebele-Sibindi, who also participated at the 2022 Dubai World Expo, said the group of young entrepreneurs that she is leading has a burning desire to grow their business by networking with international buyers.
She added that the art and craft trade has the potential of becoming one of the country’s biggest employer.
One of the young business women, Makaita Tekere, said the expo has been an eye opener as it has enabled them to see and experience how businesses is conducted at an international scale.
She said handmade wares at the Zimbabwe pavilion are proving to be very popular if enquiries being made about them are anything to go by.
Tekere also added that she has been impressed by the organisational skills of the Chinese as evidenced by them conducting their business without any problems and hindrances.
The 7th edition of the CIIE has 152 countries, regions and international organisations participating in both country and enterprise exhibitions and the event is a unique opportunity for exhibitors to tap into the vast Chinese market, share development opportunities and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
