Zimbabwe is a developing market for South African products, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe says.

Speaking at the opening of the South African stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Thabethe said Zimbabwe presented a developing market for South African goods and services such as retail, mining, food and beverages and hotels.

“South Africa is strategically placed to do business with Zimbabwe in these sectors. I’m urging South African businesses to take advantage of the opportunities available in these sectors and invest in them as this will contribute to the growth of the Zimbabwean economy,” she explained.

Over 30 South African companies are exhibiting at the fair that runs until Sunday under the theme of ‘Investing Locally, Reaping Globally’.

The department said Thabethe was working on several activities that would strengthen economic relations over the next few years. These included fact finding visits to other key regions, provinces and cities in the neighbouring country to promote Proudly South African products and technology, as well as to identify investment projects for South African products.

Zimbabwe was complimented for recently launching its industrial and trade policies. These would facilitate and guide the country’s economic growth, said Thabethe.

President Robert Mugabe officially launched the policies last month.


“The South Africa’s economy is inextricably linked to those of other African countries and we have a strong interest in promoting higher levels of industrialisation and regional economic integration on the continent,” said Thabethe. 



South African ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vusi Mavimbela, said the presence of regional and international exhibitors was evidence that Zimbabwe was a good investment destination.