Mozambican President to Officially Open Zimbabwe Agricultural Show
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi is expected to visit Zimbabwe on Tuesday to officially open the 114th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS).
The annual event, which will be held from August 26 to August 31 at the Exhibition Park in Harare, is expected to attract over 200,000 visitors under the theme “Cultivating Prosperity: Growing Business. Innovating for Change. Nurturing Our Future.”
According to Livit Mugejo, the acting chief director for protocol and conference services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, President Nyusi’s visit is not a state visit, but rather a working visit solely for the purpose of officially opening the agricultural show.
“President Nyusi is expected in the country to officially open the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show on 27 August 2024,” said Mugejo. “It is not a State visit, but a working visit. He is coming solely for the official opening of the 114th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.”
Mugejo explained that the invitation of a foreign head of state to open the agricultural show is aimed at strengthening trade relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which have a longstanding relationship rooted in historical, cultural and economic ties.
“Bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique have strengthened based on the mutual strategic partnership between the two countries,” he added. “The reason we invite a foreign Head of State to open our agricultural show is to improve trade relations with that country. In this case, Mozambique is not only our neighbour but a very important trading partner of Zimbabwe.”
ZAS chief executive officer Dr. Andrew Matibiri said the show has seen a significant increase in the number of exhibitors, with over 500 exhibitors taking up over 70,000 square meters of space as of Friday, up from 53,300 square meters occupied by 410 exhibitors last year. Additionally, the show will feature 12 international exhibitors from countries such as Russia, India, South Africa, Zambia, Pakistan, Eswatini, Japan, Mozambique, China, Malawi and Tanzania, up from five last year.
The 114th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show will feature various competitions, including the agri-produce section, the tobacco section, the cotton section, and the livestock section, all showcasing the country’s agricultural prowess.
“The increase in the number of exhibitors is due to perceived benefits of exhibitions of goods and services,” said Dr. Matibiri. “In addition, ZAS then creates more space to accommodate the exhibitors.”
The show will also host several business conferences, including the 12th Annual National Agribusiness Conference and the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Conference, highlighting the event’s focus on fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
