2 July 2009
editorial
One of Zambia's premier events, the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) where the country showcases itself, opened its gates yesterday and going by the pre-event hype by the officials, this year's event looks set to be another success.
Over 500 local and international companies are taking part by exhibiting their goods and services and most are hoping to attract new clients.
It is also hoped that many will also have on offer new products, services and technologies and they will share experiences, especially that the world is in a financial crunch.
Survival in such an economic down turn requires innovation and breaking new ground in areas of business management and there can be no better place than the ZITF which has drawn participants from various countries.
It is therefore encouraging that the ZITF management has decided to introduce a business forum to be held this Friday where participants and other interested stakeholders will meet to share experiences.
Such a forum is also an opportunity to critically analyse the latest trade, business and economic issues in Zambia and other countries where some participants have come from.
Participants are also able to form linkages for networking and future partnership such as out sourcing to maximise benefits from contracts.
The theme, "Investments in Infrastructure for Competitiveness", fits in well with the regional themes at both SADC and Comesa level.
But the importance of this is that development of vital infrastructure such as hydro-power stations in the energy sector or transport facilities cannot be left to the Government alone.
The private sector must play a key role and that is why the Government is promoting the private public partnership (PPP).
This means pooling together financial, human, technologies and other resources for the development of infrastructure to enable Zambia compete at regional level.
We hope that this is followed through and the PPP is able to work because without co-operation in building of basic infrastructure , Zambia and other countries will continue to lag behind.
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