By Flata Kavinga
Kwekwe mayor Cllr Albert Zinhanga says the Kwekwe Expo has become an important platform for marketing the district and showcasing its contribution to the Midlands provincial economy.
Speaking during the official opening of the 15th edition of the Kwekwe Expo at Kwekwe Queens Sports Club, Cllr Zinhanga said the annual exhibition had grown into a significant event for the district and province.
He said the continued participation of companies and institutions demonstrated the resilience of businesses operating amid economic challenges.
“Today it is a great honour that we stand today celebrating 15 years of the Kwekwe Expo. This is a milestone that has been achieved through hard work,” said Cllr Zinhanga.
“It is not only hard work for the Kwekwe District but it is also a significant achievement for the Midlands Province. This Expo is playing an important role in the marketing of the Kwekwe District.”
Cllr Zinhanga said Kwekwe had grown over the years and contributed to the growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He singled out the participation of Parliament of Zimbabwe as an exhibitor, saying it demonstrated the growing profile of the event.
“The addition of Parliament of Zimbabwe as an exhibitor is a testimony that the Kwekwe Expo is growing from strength to strength,” he said.
The mayor also commended exhibitors for showcasing their products, services and initiatives despite what he described as economic hardships.
He said the exhibition was not solely about winning awards but about bringing businesses, institutions and other stakeholders together to showcase their work and contribute to the development of the community.
Cllr Zinhanga said the Expo should continue to support Kwekwe’s development by encouraging stakeholders to work together and align their efforts with government programmes.
“We can only grow Kwekwe if we move together and follow the government directives and follow what the government is trying to achieve,” he said.
“As Midlands Province, we are bound to be led. As Kwekwe District, we are bound to be led.”
He said the Midlands Provincial administration had supported the Expo and would continue to support it.
Cllr Zinhanga also challenged stakeholders to maintain the momentum of development in Kwekwe, saying the city still had room for further growth.
Earlier during the Expo conference, Kwekwe was described as the fastest-growing city in Zimbabwe, a characterisation Cllr Zinhanga said he agreed with, citing developments taking place in the city.
“We are not saying it is enough. We are saying let’s continue to grow Kwekwe,” he said.
He thanked exhibitors, companies, institutions and other stakeholders for supporting the Expo and said the awards presented at the event were intended to recognise excellence and encourage continued participation.
“Let us continue to support the Expo. Let us continue to make sure that whatever we do, we do it for our city, whatever we do, we do it for our district, whatever we do, we do it for our province and whatever we do, we do it for our country,” said Cllr Z
