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Source: All set for 60th ZITF edition | Daily News

OVER 90 percent of the available exhibition space at the 60th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) has already been snapped up, a government minister has revealed.

ZITF, the country’s largest trade showcase is set to take place between April 23 and 27 under the theme, “Propagating Industrial Growth through Trade and Investment”.

Addressing journalists yesterday after touring the exhibition centre, Industry minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said the preparations are reaching climax level.

“Preparations…are gaining momentum and the ZITF Company is optimistic and charged with positivity for a successful show. Having had an opportunity to tour the exhibition centre this afternoon …. I was impressed with the level and quality of work that exhibitors are putting into their stands.

“As government we recognise ZITF as a stage for us to engage the international community as we seek to strengthen linkages which are pivotal to us achieving our desired economic growth rate trajectory,” Ndlovu told journalists.
Concerning the overall space uptake, the youthful minister said, to date 47 724 square metres have been taken up by a total of 435 exhibitors.

“This occupancy figure represents 90,03 uptake on space made available for sale. These statistics compare favourably to the booking situation at the same time last year. Of these 12 percent are first time exhibitors displaying a wide range of products and services….”

Ndlovu said in terms of geographical mix 59 percent of confirmed local exhibitors are from Harare, 23 percent are from Bulawayo, 13 percent from other towns and 5 percent are foreign.
On the international exhibitor front, Ndlovu said 16 direct exhibitors have booked.

A survey conducted by Daily News yesterday revealed that most of the hotels including the city’s only three conventional hotels under Rainbow and Africa Sun and Cresta as well as lodges are fully booked for the week long business extravaganza with almost three weeks to go.

The confirmed international exhibitors are 12 representing Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Japan, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Zambia.

The USA, will however be making a return to the fair after a three year hiatus, in what Ndlovu described as a sign of their commitment to re-engaging Zimbabwe.

Ndlovu could not be drawn into revealing the name of the guest at this year’s edition saying he still wanted to confirm with the Foreign Affairs ministry.

He however extended an invitation to all local and non-Zimbabwean business people who wish to partner “with us on this exiting journey towards dynamic, inclusive economic growth that empowers and enriches the Zimbabwean people to take advantage of the myriad opportunities presented by ZITF 2019.”

The post All set for 60th ZITF edition appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: ED in fresh NGOs headache – NewsDay Zimbabwe April 4, 2019

BY Everson Mushava

THE European Union (EU) has announced a US$5,5 million funding facility for pro-democracy civic organisations in Zimbabwe, a development that will likely give President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government nightmares after he recently accused the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of fronting a regime change agenda.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the EU said the fund will capacitate civil society organisations (CSOs) to contribute meaningfully towards good governance, accountability and development processes in Zimbabwe.

“In total, the EU is providing €5 million (approximately US$5,5 million) for projects that enhance the capacity of civil society organisations to constructively participate in decision-making processes at all levels to promote good governance, accountability, transparency and social cohesion,” the statement read.

“The projects ought to strengthen CSOs efforts to develop a conducive operational environment and to promote access to and dissemination of information on development processes.”

The development comes after Mnangagwa’s administration accused NGOs of advancing a regime change agenda after they criticised government on its handling of human rights issues.
Mnangagwa’s government has been criticised over its heavy-handedness after deploying soldiers to deal with August 1, 2018 post-election protests and January 14-16 2019 fuel price hike protests that led to the death of over 20 people and nearly 200 injured.

Mnangagwa last month warned that his government would not accept civil society organisations wading into politics and being used to effect regime change agendas.

His government also tightened requirements for registration of NGOs to ostensibly prevent money-laundering and funding of terrorist activities. His administration also suspended operations of the Masvingo-based Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development, but the suspension was later quashed by the High Court.

EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Timo Olkkonen said his bloc would continue to support CSOs to ensure good governance and accountability so that they remain key actors in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

“This will include strengthening them to effectively perform their monitoring and representative role, which also entails empowering women and men to collectively tackle injustice and inequality, to advocate for better social services and decent livelihoods,” Olkkonen said.

“In the same way that CSOs demand accountability from duty bearers, they also have to be accountable and practise the same principles that they expect others to uphold, hence, the call for proposals also seeks to further strengthen CSOs to be more professional, transparent and effective.”

According to the statement, the call for proposals aimed at strengthening CSOs to meaningfully contribute to governance and development processes in Zimbabwe was launched in the framework of the Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities (CSO – LA) thematic programme.

The objective of the programme is to “strengthen CSOs and local authorities in partner countries with the aim of fostering an enabling environment for citizen participation and civil society action and co-operation, exchange of knowledge, experience and capacities, in support of internationally agreed development goals and in this instance, the 2030 agenda”.

The call is in line with the objectives of the Cotonou Agreement, which governs relations between Zimbabwe and the EU, the statement read.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said his party welcomed the move by the EU “because democracy was desperately needed in the country”.

“We do believe that Zimbabwe needs democracy and NGOs that work in democracy space need to be funded. The NGOs should be wary of becoming proxies of the State. They should be pure pro-democracy organisations working for the democracy of the country,” Mafume said.

Political analyst Alexander Rusero yesterday said the move was a clear message to Mnangagwa to reform. “I think it’s a clear message to Mnangagwa that they are not prepared to work with Mnangagwa at the moment,” Rusero observed.

“When you have a whole EU community funding quasi-opposition movements, they are pushing government to democratise; it is a blow to Mnangagwa’s engagement process.”

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Harare  – The United States Government has provided an additional contribution of US$2.5 million to respond to emergency needs in Zimbabwe following Cyclone Idai. The contribution, provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Food for Peace, will support immediate food needs in the most affected areas of Manicaland Province.

Source: United States provides additional US$2.5 million in response to Cyclone Idai – The Zimbabwean

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HARARE  (Xinhua) — The European Union has encouraged Zimbabwe to continue reform and engagement in order to enhance relations with the bloc and promote the well-being of Zimbabweans. In a statement published Tuesday at the [...]

A disgruntled man shocked mourners at a funeral recently when he ‘undressed’ the deceased by laying bare her alleged misdeeds. The man used a few choice words to describe the deceased who he claimed had snatched his father away from his first wife and children which resulted in them enduring great suffering. The video is […]