•Commerce, Trade and Industry permanent Secretary Kayula Siame (left) flags off a march past at Kafubu Mall in Ndola yesterday to mark the official opening of the 52nd Zambia International Trade Fair. Picture by CHATULA KANGALI
By CHATULA KANGALI –
THE 52nd Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) got underway in style in Ndola yesterday, with a colourful march past from Kafubu Shopping Mall to the trade fair grounds.
The march past was flagged off by Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame.
Some exhibitors, showgoers, a brass band and majorettes marched joyfully on selected roads of the city up to the trade fair grounds.
Ms Kayula, ZITF board members and management later lit the emblem to signify the start of this year’s event.
Local and foreign exhibitors have since started showcasing their products and services to the showgoers.
A check at the grounds yesterday found some exhibitors at their stands attending to members of the public who had turned up.
Some stands were, however, still being prepared while others were having final touches such as painting and decorating.
Some exhibitors spoken to expressed happiness at the preparatory works that had been done this year.
Happy Siadi, an exhibitor from Egypt dealing in leather products and jewelry, said he was looking forward to good business this year.
He said that business yesterday started on a slow note, although he remained upbeat on better deals in the coming days.
This year’s trade fair has attracted 531 exhibitors, out of whom 430 are local and 101 are foreign.
