NKOLE MULAMBIA, Ndola
THE Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) says over 350 local and foreign companies have confirmed participation at this year’s international trade fair slated for June 28 to July 4, 2017.

ZITF vice-president Ajay Vashee said out of the 354 firms that have confirmed participation, 292 are local firms and 62 are foreign.
Mr Vashee said during a ZITF meeting in Ndola yesterday that the ZITF is expected to attract more exhibitors to meet the 722 exhibition space.
He said countries so far participating include Indonesia, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, DRC, Kenya, Pakistan, Egypt and Uganda.
New entrants for this year’s show are Indeni, Seedco, World Vision, Ischool, Dangote, Sunshare, Tekstila, GV.S.L Mantraco, Tazara, Embassy of Indonesia, Tanzania, Trade Policy Research Institute and Ministry of Resource Development.
And Mr Vashee said the ZITF is implementing a five-year strategic plan covering the period of 2017 to 2021 with the objective of enticing possible strategic business partners to invest in ZITF under the public private partnerships.
He said the ZITF is committed to its mission of being a premier forum which promotes trade and investment and provide a platform for local and international organisations to showcase their products and services with a view of creating strategic business linkages for wealth creation.
The board is also focusing on diversifying the business niche and improving stakeholder’s expectations in an effective and efficient manner.
The 53rd Zambia International Trade Fair is slated for June 28 to July 4, 2017 under the theme ‘Innovation for Industrialisation’.