Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- All is set for the 2025 editions of the Mining, Engineering, and Transport Expo (Mine Entra) and the Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Conference and Expo (AfriConfex) to be held from Wednesday to Friday at the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) in Bulawayo.
When a New Ziana crew visited ZICES on Tuesday, exhibitors were busy sprucing up their stands with some confirming their preparedness for the dual events.
Addressing the media, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) company board chairman Busisa Moyo said the dual events have attracted significant participation, with 240 exhibitors expected to participate in the show.
He said the figure includes sixteen international direct exhibitors representing four countries namely, the People’s Republic of China, India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
The Mine Entra will run under the theme “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the future of Mining while AfriConfex will be focused on “Smart Moves: Powering Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Evolution.”
“Most exhibitors have arrived over the past three days and are working with their stand designers to put the final decorative and logistical touches to their stands across the exhibition grounds. The ZICES facilities will be open all night for this purpose, and we expect to be ready to open the gates at 0900 hours tomorrow for the first concurrent event sessions,” said Moyo.
He said the City of Bulawayo was in a peak state of preparedness, with various stakeholders in the hospitality, transport, utility, and emergency services sectors having assured of their preparedness to welcome the influx of regional and international delegates.
“Exhibitors span a diverse range of sectors essential to the mining value chain, including heavy and light equipment suppliers, engineering firms, green technology providers, transport and logistics, and financial and support services. The co-location of Mine Entra and AfriConfex this year is a strategic move designed to amplify cross-sectoral engagement, recognizing that the future of mining is inextricably linked to sustainable energy, robust infrastructure, and efficient logistics,” he said.
Moyo said the day begins on Wednesday with the intellectual firepower of the AfriConfex Conference and official opening by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona.
“In the afternoon, Mine Entra’s commitment to business facilitation will be highlighted by the Buyers Program Speed Networking Session in Hall 3, designed for structured procurement meetings between confirmed mining houses (including Zimasco, Unki Mine, Hwange Colliery Company, and Blanket Mine) and various suppliers across the mining value chain,” he said.
He said the highlight of the expo is the Mine Entra Conference and official opening by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday.
“The conference will commence with the Mining Industry Suppliers Forum, spearheaded by the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe. After this forum, there will a seminar on Environmental, Social, and Governance(ESG) and Sustainability in the Mining Industry that will feature keynote speakers and panelists from the mining industry and associated industries. We expect the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa, to officially open the exhibition and conference accompanied by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando,” he said.
Moyo said the final day will focus on inclusivity and giving back, featuring the Zimbabwe Miners Federation Small/Medium Scale Mining Conference, which will emphasise sustainable practices and value chain integration for the artisanal sector.
“A concerted business visitor recruitment drive has yielded positive results, with most pre-registered business visitors holding senior decision-making positions, including chief executive officers, mine managers, engineers and buyers. Visitor groups are expected from all key mining hubs across the country, including Bindura, Chinhoyi, Chirundu, Filabusi, Goromonzi, Gwanda, Gweru, Hwange, Inyathi, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Lutumba, Masvingo, Marondera, Mazowe, Mutare, Penhalonga, Redcliff, Shamva, Shurugwi, and Zvishavane.
“International representation is also expected from Australia, Botswana, China, France, Germany, India, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, all seeking bilateral opportunities in investment, knowledge sharing, and value chain development,” said Moyo.
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