…sets up in-market warehouse on Zambia-DRC border
Trade development and promotion agency ZimTrade hosts buyers representing different African and European markets in Harare and Bulawayo this week, as part of activities lined up for Zimbabwe Export Week.
The countries represented are Zambia, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, Ethiopia, Senegal, Rwanda, and Mozambique, with a buyer from France also seeking products for the European Union market.
According to ZimTrade, the buyers cover a range of sectors including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), fresh produce, building and construction, mining supplies, engineering services, clothing, protective footwear, leather and leather products, among others.
“(Their) presence here affirms the value and competitiveness of Zimbabwean enterprises, and it is our hope that the engagements will translate into sustainable partnerships and long-term business growth,” ZimTrade operations director Similo Nkala said.
Addressing the media after the Harare leg of the buyers’ seminar, Nkala explained that Zimbabwe was chasing a target of US$14 billion in exports by 2030.
“Last year our total exports were US$ 7,4 billion, and our target is to increase by 10 percent year on year, and we are happy to say as of the end of August this year our exports had increased by 23 percent compared to the same period last year. We are hopeful we will be able to meet our target for 2025,” he said.
“We are undertaking a number of activities to reach these targets. We are coming up with an in-market warehouse in Kasumbalesa, on the border between Zambia and DRC.
“Instead of exporting directly to DRC, we want a central point which will support our exports in both countries. We are hopeful that by the end of next year, we will have something running. We have purchased the land, and we are now looking forward to the construction of the in-market warehouse.”
He said Zambia and DRC offered excellent opportunities for Zimbabwean products.
“We have engaged a lot of companies that are in the FMCG sector. DRC and Zambia have been markets of interest for the FMCG sector. There is a lot of construction in both countries, so there is a huge market for building and construction material,” he said.
“Companies that offer building and construction services also have a big opportunity in the two countries. They also have food security programmes offering opportunities for companies in the agriculture inputs and implements sector.”
