10 government institutions pull out of 2019 Trade Fair

Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) Managing Director Robert Banda has revealed that ten  government institutions have withdrawn participation from this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) which starts tomorrow, June 26.

Banda said this when Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe called on him to check on the preparedness of the organisers and the response from exhibitors.

And Banda told the minister that the institutions who have decided to register and then abscond will be penalised.

However, Banda did not name the ten government institutions that have reportedly withdrawn participation.

This year’s trade fair has seen a reduction in exhibitors from last year’s 656 to 525 this year, with many exhibitors citing the exorbitant amounts being charged for stands as a contributing factor to the reduction in numbers.

Some traders spoken to in Kitwe and Chingola said they would rather remain behind and trade in their towns than buy expensive stands with difficult business.

This year’s ZITF will be held from June 26 to July 2 under the theme “Inclusive growth through entrepreneurship”.

Zambia International Trade Fair is the biggest International Exhibition in Zambia that promotes Trade and Investment and is hosted on the Copperbelt.