HARARE: Zimtrade, the country’s export promotion body, has said potential business estimated at $1 million was anticipated following participation of textile and clothing companies at an exhibition in South Africa last month.
In a monthly newsletter on Friday, ZimTrade said for the third consecutive year, it had, together with Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers’ Association (ZCMA), coordinated Zimbabwe’s participation at Source Africa, which was held last month in Cape Town.
Source Africa, the African Textile, Apparel and Footwear Trade Event, is a sector-specific exhibition which showcases the quality, creativity, reliability and sophistication of manufacturing in Africa to a global audience of international buyers, business leaders and decision makers from the US, European Union, and the African continent.
According to ZimTrade, ZCMA chairperson Jeremy Youmans who also participated in the event said Zimbabwe’s presence at Source Africa since 2013 was beginning to bear fruits and commended ZimTrade for having provided this market development opportunity to players within the sectors.
“Potential business estimated at $1 million is anticipated following serious enquiries, contacts and business leads made at the event,” ZimTrade said.
Zimbabwe’s contingent at the show was bigger this year with the ministry of Industry and Commerce showcasing products from six footwear companies, one of which had its representative at the fair.
The Zimbabwe pavilion generated considerable attention from regional and international buyers due to the high quality of exhibits on display as well as the fact that the products are produced under socially responsible conditions, ZimTrade said.
Currently, the clothing sector is home to about 6 800 employees from a peak of 35 000 in 1994. The textile industry is employing 3 000 from a peak of 18 000.
